Through ArtsSmarts, local artists go into Island classrooms to share their skills and talents, enabling students to combine their learning of core subjects such as math, languages, social studies, and science, with skills involved in artistic disciplines such as visual and literary arts, dance, music and theatre.

“The ArtsSmarts program offers students an opportunity to study core curricula through sculpting, painting, stained glass, film and music,” said Education Minister Mildred Dover. “Through the arts, students develop an appreciation for Island history, story telling, nature, outer space and imaginary creatures. They learn skills, values, and habits crucial to their personal growth and development.”

ArtsSmarts is a program of the Canadian Conference of the Arts and is supported by the J. W. McConnell Family Foundation. ArtsSmarts PEI is a provincial partnership involving the Department of Education, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, the Confederation Centre of the Arts, Commission Scolaire de Langue Française, the Western School Board, the Eastern School Board, the PEI Council of the Arts, the PEI Crafts Council, the University of Prince Edward Island, the Capital Commission of PEI, the Fédération culturelle de l'Î.-P.-É., the Atlantic Technology Centre and the Eptek Centre.

As participants in the ArtsSmarts programs complete their projects, events are held so students, teachers and artists can celebrate the accomplishments and share their work with the public. Celebrations planned are as follows:

• Building a Community / Up Close and Personal in a Maritime Fishing Community by EAP Plus; and Picture School Culture by Elm Street School have already celebrated their projects.

• The project team at Donagh School will be celebrating their project, United We Stand May 10, at 12:45 p.m. at the school.

• The East Wiltshire students completed a project called Luncheon at William H Popes and will be celebrating at Ardgowan in Charlottetown on May 10 at 11 a.m.

• Also on May 10, at 1 p.m., the group from Eastern Kings will be celebrating the completion of their project, Helping Hands.

• The students, teachers and artists at École Évangéline are celebrating their project entitled: On est tous dans le même bâteau. The celebration will be held at the school on May 16 at 1 p.m.

• École Évangéline students also did a project called Réseau de concepts animé. Celebration date will be announced.

• West Royalty School had two ArtsSmarts projects, Cube Connections and Space and Technology. Celebrations for both will be held at the Confederation Centre on May 26 at 11 a.m.

• Mosaic in Motion is a project of Sherwood School. The display and celebration will be held at the confederation Centre on May 26 at 9:30 a.m.

• Stonepark Intermediate School did Aluminum Etching and will be proudly celebrating their artwork at the Confederation Centre on May 26 at 1 p.m.

• The Twelve Dancing Princesses! stage production was the ArtsSmarts program by Fortune Consolidated School. Their celebration was held March 29.

• Participants in Spring Park School’s project: Learning for Life, enjoyed their celebration on May 1.

“I encourage Islanders to attend the celebrations across the province and support this program which links the schools and young people with artists, arts organizations and the community,” said Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Elmer MacFadyen.

“I also want to take this opportunity to commend the students for their commitment to these projects and to extend sincere thanks and congratulations to the artists, program coordinators, teachers and community leaders who work together to integrate arts into learning through the ArtsSmarts program,” he added.