(105 ILCS 310/2) (from Ch. 122, par. 1752)
Sec. 2.
Policy and purposes.
It shall be the policy of the State of
Illinois to seek out and nurture the artistic talent of high school
students from throughout the State who exhibit unique artistic ability in
the expressive areas of Dance, Language Arts, Media, Music, Theatre, and
Visual Arts, in order to preserve and enhance the State's historic
commitment to the cultural richness which contributes to the ability of the
State to attract and maintain a citizenry who choose to reside in Illinois
for its support of a quality life as well as for its economic advantages.
It shall further be the policy to enlist the support of the educational,
professional, and commercial communities in a cooperative effort to provide
excellence in ARTS education and to serve as a model for the development of
innovative instructional techniques and curricula. As a symbol of this
cooperative endeavor, there shall be established the Illinois Summer School
for the Arts to serve the people of Illinois as a place to nourish the
creativity of its youth who possess outstanding talent in the various arts
areas, and to return these young people to their home community better
prepared to make a contribution to the cultural opportunities available in their town.
The primary mission of the Illinois Summer School for the Arts is to seek
out the artistically talented high school students from throughout the
State and to immerse them in a challenging residential arts programs,
unlike those typically available in local schools, where under the
instruction of outstanding teachers and professional artists they will
better understand how their talents can be further developed.
Additionally, the summer arts school will provide opportunities to test new
approaches in the teaching of the arts and staff development, and serve as
a model for school programming which can be carried out in community
schools State-wide. The Summer Arts School shall also carry a
responsibility to provide instruction about how the participants whether
students, intern, or teacher can make a positive contribution to the
development of the arts in their local community upon their return home.
The mission of the Illinois Summer School for the Arts shall be carried
out through the following means:
(a) Regionally based talent searches shall be conducted to identify the
most artistically talented high school students from throughout the State
from grades 9, 10, and 11 in the six arts components.
(b) Teachers for the Summer Arts School shall be selected from
throughout the State based upon criteria which insure the highest quality
faculty represented by professional artists known for the quality of their
work, teachers of the arts recognized for their excellence in teaching and
curriculum development by their colleagues, and individuals possessing
unique insights about the commercial and professional possibilities
available to aspiring artists.
(c) The instructional program shall be enhanced by visiting lecturers,
performers and special exhibits open to the public by way of open houses
and audience participation.
(d) The Summer Arts School shall network with existing professional
organizations, universities, and arts programs to foster the exchange of
personnel, equipment, and conceptual enrichment. Such interaction shall
include contributions in kind as well as consulting relationships.
(e) Faculty of the Summer Arts School shall present professional papers
and lectures around the State
and in professional conferences nationally about the program and the
potential for improved arts programming at the local level.
(f) Participants will have access to facilities and equipment seldom
available in most high school settings where they will be able to expand
their knowledge of the mediums available to creative artists in the
professional and commercial worlds.
(Source: P.A. 86-1028.)
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