FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions.
Here are some common questions about Arts Partners.

General Questions

What is Arts Partners?
Located in Wichita, KS, Arts Partners is a comprehensive PreK-12 arts-in-education organization.  35 teaching artists and ensembles present in-school programs that integrate their art forms with other areas of the curriculum, such as math, science, social studies, technology and history.  26 arts and cultural partner organizations present outreach programs and field trip opportunities through Arts Partners.
What is arts-in-education?
Arts-in-education is a method of integrating the arts into all areas of the curriculum. Students learn math concepts through dance; science concepts through kinetic art; positive character traits through song writing. The possibilities are endless.
Is Arts Partners affiliated with any national organization?

Yes!  Arts Partners is affiliated with the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network.  Arts Partners is also home to Kansas Wolf Trap, a regional site of Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts

What is Young Audiences, Inc.?

Young Audiences, Inc. is a national arts-in-education organization whose mission and goal is to help make the arts an essential part of young people’s education.  Young Audiences advances the artistic and educational development of children and youth by bringing them together with professional artists of all disciplines to learn, create and participate in the arts.

What is Wolf Trap Education?

Arts Partners is home to Kansas Wolf Trap, one of only 15 regional sites of Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts.  The Institute provides innovative arts-based teaching strategies and services to early childhood teachers, caregivers, parents, and their children from 0 to 5 through the disciplines of drama, music, and movement.  Kansas Wolf Trap teaching artists use the performing arts to teach emergent literacy skills to children 12 – 60 months.  Located near Washington, D.C., in Vienna, VA, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is the only national park in the United States dedicated to the performing arts.  The Center for Education at Wolf Trap National Park is an arts-in-education resource center focused on life-long learning for children, parents, educators, and performing artists.

Who does Arts Partners serve?

Arts Partners serves 136 educational institutions within a 50-mile radius of Wichita, KS.  Annually, 60,000 students are provided access to quality arts-in-education programs in public, private and parochial schools.

Who are the Arts Partners teaching artists?

Our teaching artists are professional artists who have passed a rigorous audition process. 

Who are the Arts Partners partner organizations?

Arts Partners collaborates with 26 arts and cultural partner organizations in Wichita to provide students access to educational field trips and outreach presentations.   Our partner organizations are established non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations in Wichita, KS.  

K-12 Teachers and Administrators

I need every minute of instruction time I can get. Why should I book an Arts Partners program?
Arts Partners in-school programs are designed to enhance the curriculum. Our workshops and residencies are project- and inquiry-based, goal-oriented and also help students develop 21st century learning skills. Arts Partners programs enable students to have authentic experiences in the arts, to understand and use artistic skills, to engage in creative explorations, and to connect their learning across all areas of the curriculum.
What is STEM Learning through the Arts?
STEM Learning through the Arts is a method of teaching STEM subjects and concepts through creative arts experiences. Arts Partners offers several programs that integrate the arts with STEM subjects and concepts.
Can Arts Partners design a program specifically for our school's students?

Yes!  With ample time, teaching artists from Arts Partners can design programs or residencies specifically for your students.  Program development fees may apply.  Please contact Program Scheduler Nancy Lucas for information. 316-262-4771 x 100 or nancy@artspartnerswichita.org.

What are the in-school program formats?

Arts Partners offers three in-school program formats:  
Performance is presented by a solo, duo, or ensemble.  Performances can be presented for the entire school body or a smaller group. 
Workshop is presented to an individual class of students to offer hands-on, in-depth learning.  
Residency is comprised of three or more Workshops, all presented to one class.

How much do the programs cost?

Typically, a single workshop for one class of students can be as little as $85.  Residencies are comprised of three or more workshops and can start at $294 per three sessions.   School assemblies presented by a solo performer average $286.  Ensemble performances can range from $360-$900.  Program costs are included in the narrative descriptions on our website.

Are there additional fees above the program costs?

The stated fees are all-inclusive for Arts Partners performances.  Nominal supplies costs are listed with the website description for each workshop or residency that requires supplies.  All residencies require a one-hour $39 planning meeting between the classroom teacher and the teaching artist so that there is a clear understanding of the residency expectations.   Schools located between a 25- and 50-mile radius of the Arts Partners office will be charged mileage calculated at the IRS rate beginning after the first 25 miles.

Who can book Arts Partners programs?

Classroom teachers and administrators may book K-12 in-school programs.  We request that teachers and administrators coordinate with their designated school liaison before booking in-school programs and field trips.  Designated school liaisons may also book programs.

What is a partnership school?

A school administrator makes the decision for his/her school to be a partnership school by depositing funds into an Arts Partners account.  There is no minimum amount nor maximum amount required.  These funds are available throughout the school year for Arts Partners programming.  Unused funds carry over to the next school year.

Early Childhood and Parents

What are the program formats for Kansas Wolf Trap?
Kansas Wolf Trap offers residencies in early childhood classrooms and family-based classes for parent/child classes.
What is a Kansas Wolf Trap residency?
Kansas Wolf Trap offers classroom residencies for early childhood teachers. A residency is a partnership between a performing artist and an early childhood educator who work together to develop, refine and evaluate new performing arts techniques and strategies that will help young children acquire basic emergent literacy and other learning skills. Residencies are categorized by age level: 12 – 18 months; 19 – 36 months; and 3 -5 years.
What are Kansas Wolf Trap family-based classes?
Kansas Wolf Trap offers family-based classes for parent and child at various locations throughout Wichita. Family-based classes are designed to support the very young child’s social, emotional, intellectual, and motor development through quality performing arts interactions. Led by a Kansas Wolf Trap teaching artist, each class is designed for parent and child to attain emergent literacy skills through the performing arts.
Who are the Kansas Wolf Trap teaching artists?
Kansas Wolf Trap teaching artists are professional artists who have passed a rigorous audition process to join the Arts Partners roster. Kansas Wolf Trap has five teaching artists who have completed a minimum of 40 hours of training + 10 hours of observation integrating the performing arts with early childhood emergent literacy curriculum.
Who can book Kansas Wolf Trap programs?
Early childhood administrators may book Kansas Wolf Trap Residencies for their classrooms. Parents can complete an on-line enrollment for their children aged 12 months – 5 years to participate in Kansas Wolf Trap Family-based Classes.
Are there any additional fees above the program costs?
The stated fees are all-inclusive for Kansas Wolf Trap Residencies and Classes. All residencies require planning meetings (included) between the classroom teacher and the teaching artist so that there is a clear understanding of the residency expectations. For residencies booked at locations between a 25- and 50-mile radius of the Arts Partners office, mileage will be calculated at the IRS rate beginning after the first 25 miles.

Supporters

How is Arts Partners funded?
Schools and school districts are our primary source of funding. Individuals, government, foundations and corporations also play a significant role in our budget. 88% of our budget is spent on programming.
How can I support Arts Partners?
There are many ways to support Arts Partners, and we appreciate your interest! Volunteers are always needed for special events. Financial donations can support any operational aspect of our organization that you desire – perhaps a residency at your high school alma mater! Our Board of Directors is comprised of community leaders who support the arts and arts-in-education. For more information, please contact Kate Van Steenhuyse at 316-262-4771 x 103 or via email at kate@artspartnerswichita.org.

Artists & Organizations

Who are the Arts Partners and Kansas Wolf Trap teaching artists?
Our teaching artists are professional artists who have passed a rigorous audition process. Kansas Wolf Trap teaching artists are performing artists who have completed a minimum of 40 hours of training + 10 hours of observation integrating the performing arts with early childhood emergent literacy curriculum.
I am an artist. How can I become an Arts Partners teaching artist?

Our program director will be pleased to speak with you about the process of joining our roster of teaching artists. Our K-12 teaching artists must integrate their art form(s) with other areas of the curriculum and offer a real-world perspective to the students. Performing artists interested in joining the Kansas Wolf Trap roster will integrate their art form(s) with early childhood emergent literacy curriculum. Artists with dual-language facility and those seeking to integrate their art form with science, technology, engineering and math are particularly sought. Email Ellamonique Baccus at ella@artspartnerswichita.org for more information.

Who are the Arts Partners partner organizations?
Arts Partners collaborates with 26 arts and cultural partner organizations in Wichita to provide students access to field trips and outreach presentations. Our partner organizations are established non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations in Wichita, KS. Our online program directory allows a visitor to search all Partner Organizations and their related programs.
How can an organization become a partner organization?
Twenty-six arts and cultural organizations that produce in-depth educational programs were selected as partner organizations when Arts Partners was developed in 1995. Currently, these institutions remain our only partner organizations.

Arts Partners | 903 S Edgemoor, Suite 907 Wichita, KS 67218

Site by RSM Marketing.

This Organization received funding for general operational support from the City of Wichita The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 

Board of directors

Jan-Maeve Saggerson

Tim Rogers

Lai-L Daugherty

Teresa Seymour

Rodney Horton

Chris Wendt