Welcome to Creative Leaps

Fall 2004

Arts in Character and Prevention Education: Extending Beyond Curriculum

The French word for “heart” is coeur, from which we derive the word “courage.” The heart: so many noble qualities are associated with this blood-pumping organ of ours. Compassion, wisdom, fortitude; gentleness and intuition; love, passion, and hope. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye,” says Antoine de St. Exupery in The Little Prince. The heart, le cour, is our body’s gateway to another order of intelligence: to mystery, imagination, and yes, courage.

I once heard Professor Magid Mazen of Suffolk University tell a story he often shared with his students. A traveler approaches a wise man, complaining that his life constantly exhausts him.  The wise man replies simply, “The opposite of exhaustion is not rest, but wholeheartedness.”  Wholeheartedness. Even as I pronounce the word, it encourages my own weary spirit.

In this issue of CREATIVE LEAPS, we are exploring how the arts can provide seminal learning experiences—life-affirming, wholehearted experiences—in and out of the classroom. How do the arts make our children and our world a better place? How do they nurture the courage, the wisdom, and the hope to help our hearts survive?

"Je t'aime de tous mon coeur!" says the lover, and all things become possible. What needs to become possible for you?

-John Cimino, President, Creative Leaps Int'l and The Learning Arts

The Happiness Club: Singing Toward Self-Esteem in Chicago

At The Happiness Club in downtown Chicago, the next generation of actors, singers, and hip-hop dancers are busy being trained…and getting noticed. They’re performing for heads of state, including former President Bill Clinton. They’ve warmed up for Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.

What are they singing about? Honesty. Global responsibility. Fighting prejudice. Saying no to drugs.

read on

The Rita Project: The Arts and Suicide Prevention

Originally targeted specifically at suicide prevention, the work of Rita Project has now developed into important prevention education across a number of fields. Through workshops implemented in schools, hospitals, and transitional homes throughout Manhattan, Rita Project addresses a number of issues across different populations: homelessness, addiction, and bullying, to name a few. As Strouse sees it, the creative process that Rita provides combats any of those things that keep us from the joy and fruitfulness of living. The creative act becomes a celebration of life, a positive force in the face of destructive acts. “You’re here,” Strouse asserts ardently. “You’re a person. Embrace that.”

read on

Character Education Programs for Youth

With growing attention being turned to character education and development in youth, we invite you to consider the following Learning Arts arts-in-education programs focusing on character education, courage, and leadership. These innovative programs utilize music, drama, and creative expression to address important life skills in students, and can be adapted to fit one-day visits or multiple-visit residencies. Read on to learn more about these programs, and to find out about our Opportunities and Incentives Fund and other financial assistance opportunities.

read on

Leadership Renewal and Professional Development for Adults

The universal appeal of arts-based programming to supplement character education in youth is also a valuable resource in professional development for adult administrators and educators. Designed to celebrate creativity, foster leadership, and catalyze powerful new ways of thinking and learning, the following is a sampling of professional development programs offered for educators and administrators at all levels. Designed by The Learning Arts and Creative Leaps International, these programs are innovative, interactive, and customized for every organization. They inspire new approaches and perspective, harnessing the mind processes of the arts to catalyze personal, professional, and organizational change.

read on

New York ASCD Announces Blue Ribbon Commission on Youth Leadership

The New York State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) has announced the launch of its Blue Ribbon Commission on Youth Leadership. Headed by New York State ASCD President Jim Collins, the commission has been convened to foster a greater emphasis on leadership and character education in school curriculum throughout the state of New York.

read on

The Imagination of Thomas Cole at Peekskill Middle School

This summer, a dozen rising Middle School students from the Peekskill City School District were treated to a thoroughly unique and exciting multi-week learning opportunity: a chance to study the history, science and art of the Hudson River through hands-on classroom activities and outdoor workshops and field trips. 

read on

Acting Compassionate

by Krista Apple

How great it would be to walk into a room and say to a group of people: “Take care of each other. Help each other out. Work together, and make something happen!” But we all know that in today’s world, in our offices and classrooms, compassion is for dummies and the only way to survive is to be the fittest and edge out the competition. But my acting students learn pretty quickly that working solo won’t get you anywhere… Before they (and I) know it, they’re seeing the world around them for the first time. They’re seeing themselves in the world for the first time. And if you’re really lucky, you’re still around for the next step too: when they realize that the world they’re in needs some serious changing.

read on