The Westminster School of Education's ArtsConnect initiative and Utah Tech University's Arts in Action program offer arts-integrated professional development and continuing education to classroom teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals throughout Utah. Supported by the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program and endowments from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, these initiatives aim to enhance curricular design and provide arts-rich learning experiences for children across the state.
Professional Development and Career Advancement
Westminster's Arts Education Continuing Education Program focuses on a progressive pedagogical approach known as arts integration. The program offers courses designed to help educators meet continuing education requirements in their careers, with many courses qualifying for lane-change credit in most school districts, provided they receive prior approval from their local education agency. In some instances, completing specific courses can result in educators receiving funds for classroom art supplies.
Specialized Course Offerings
The ArtsConnect curriculum includes several specialized courses, such as Arts Integration Methods, which features scholarship opportunities, and Content Methods available in dance, music, visual arts, or drama. Other offerings include Arts Connect International Rwanda, Directed Study, Educator Events in the Arts, and Introduction to Arts Integration. The program also provides instruction through workshops and professional development opportunities, such as Fine Arts: Implementation, Leadership, and Advocacy, and Conference/Workshop Attendance in the Arts. The specific location and format of instruction vary and may occur off the Westminster campus.
Academic Endorsements and Degree Programs
The ArtsConnect initiative specifically assists educators seeking various Utah State Board of Education endorsements. This includes the Elementary Arts Integration Endorsement as well as specialist endorsements in elementary dance, drama, music, and visual arts. Beyond professional development, the Westminster School of Education also maintains various undergraduate and graduate programs, including majors in Art, Arts Administration, Educational Studies, Elementary Education, Dance, Outdoor Education and Leadership, Music, and Theatre Arts, as well as a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
Arts in Action Mission
At Utah Tech University, the Arts in Action program provides support and learning opportunities to increase the quality and quantity of arts instruction and integration in elementary schools. The program's mission involves providing workshops that model innovation and best practices in arts integration for both grade-level classroom teachers and fine arts teachers. Additionally, the program mentors BTSArts teachers in Washington and Kane Counties and facilitates community-based arts projects and events for children through local teachers and pre-service teachers.
Regional Educational Support
Utah Tech University's Arts in Action also delivers active learning arts education courses to music majors and elementary education majors. The program is supported by an endowed professorial chair in elementary arts education, made possible by an endowment from the Sorenson Legacy Foundation. Furthermore, the program receives funding through a Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program Professional Learning Grant. Arts in Action operates in cooperation with the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Art Works for Kids!, the UT Art Museum & Gallery, and the Utah State Board of Education to provide quality arts experiences for teachers and students.
Regional Impact and Reach
The efforts of both Westminster and Utah Tech University are centered on developing and celebrating arts in education throughout the region. While Westminster focuses on a broad range of continuing education and degree programs across Utah, Utah Tech University maintains a specific focus on serving elementary schools, in-service educators, and community members within Washington and Kane Counties.
