Classroom
Partnerships
In-School Residencies
In-School Residencies offer arts programming to special education classrooms in Kent & Ottawa Counties. These residencies, which are free to schools, pair teaching artists and special education classrooms for multi-session instruction in either visual or performing arts. Our professional teaching artists collaborate with special education teachers to design a customized art experience based on student needs and interests to determine the format for their multi-session program. Sessions run from 45 minutes to one hour and typically occur weekly over six to ten weeks.
Opportunities vary year to year. Please see current application materials for this year's eligibility requirements.
Supported by:
ACTion Art Field Trips
ACTion Art is a spring art exhibition uniquely designed to showcase artwork made by adults with disabilities in a professional gallery format. ACT invites classrooms to visit the exhibit by registering for an "ACTion Art Field Trip". (Other groups such as disability organizations, group homes, and day programs are welcome to attend as well!) Take your learning outside of the classroom by exploring the exhibit, viewing artwork made by people with disabilities, enjoying a scavenger hunt, voting for your favorite artwork, and contributing to a collaborative community art project.
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Interested in a different field trip?
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Monitor ACT's Community Calendar for daytime events which are free and open to the public. Some opportunities are perfect for a field trip! Please give advanced notice for large groups by emailing program@artistscreatingtogether.org
Supported by:
Creativity & Ability Festival
ACT's annual spring festival, the “Creativity & Ability Festival,” is uniquely designed for special education students, 1st grade through transition aged. Participation in the Festival is FREE. Registered students are invited to engage with virtual performing art workshops and visual art kits, all from the comfort of your own classroom.
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Registered classrooms have the option to participate in performing arts workshops through real-time, artist led instruction in Zoom. These workshops feature a variety of musical & creative movement exploration.​
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In addition, ACT offers art-making kits, complete with all the necessary supplies and directions needed to lead accessible art projects in the classroom.
Registration is open to special education classrooms 1st grade through 12th grade, or transition aged students.
QUESTIONS?
Contact our Program Director at program@artistscreatingtogether.org or (616) 885-5866
2024-25 School Year Opportunities
Each year, ACT offers free services to special education classes in Kent & Ottawa counties. Recurring events that are FREE to schools include In-School Residencies, Field Trips, and the Creativity & Ability Festival. In addition, ACT provides contracted services in schools such as Creative Cube Events and Custom Art Programs.
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To stay connected with ACT, special education teachers & staff may:
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Monitor ACT's Community Calendar for daytime events which are free and open to the public. Some opportunites are perfect for a field trip! Please give advanced notice for large groups by emailing program@artistscreatingtogether.org
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Join ACT's mailing list
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Follow ACT's social media @actwm
Creativity &
Ability Festival
Program Dates:
May 5-9, 2025
Registration opens Jan 10.
Register by Feb 14.
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ACTion Art​
Field Trips
Program Date:
March 26, 2025
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Registration opens Jan 10.
Register by March 7.
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In-School Residencies
Program Dates:
January - May 2025
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Applications open Nov 6.
Apply by Dec 4.