Our Programs
Art for Life’s Sake offers arts and musical training through four programs:
M.U.S.I.C. (Memphis Urban Strings Ignites Creativity).
Originally a program in which participants receive individual and group instruction in violin and cello using the Suzuki method, the M.U.S.I.C. program has been expanded to include piano and guitar. Classes are provided on Saturday and after school.
- Empower students to develop musical knowledge and skills
- Enrich students’ personal, social, career and performance experiences
- Enable students the option of advancing to secondary orchestras or one of the Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestras.
L.A.D.S. (Literary and Artistic Development of Students)
This program integrates literature and visual arts to provide learning experiences connected to the culture of participants. Using a wide variety of methods and media, students examine works of art by writing about them, creating drawings and paintings, producing crafts, or via other modes of creative expression.
The goals of L.A.D.S. are to enable students to:
- Explore a variety of multicultural literature
- Compare ethnic and cultural concepts in various art forms
- Create visual arts based on literature
- Maintain journals of their writings and art work
- Develop written critiques of their art work as well as those of peers and professionals
- Dramatize literature and participate in reader’s theatre based on stories created by individual participants
S.V.A.C. (Spanish Vocabulary and Conversation)
The SVAC project was designed to enhance friendships and communication skills between Spanish and non- Spanish students in Art for Life’s Sake programs and beyond. SVAC skills are accessible to all participants during Art for Life’s Sake Saturday services. Each student will master the basic skills of the weekly lesson plan through interactive activities. Many of the lesson themes indicated below will be integrated to make the lesson activities relevant and fun, with lots of conversation to enhance mastery.
Goals are to:
- Develop Spanish vocabulary and conversation for strengthen communication skills with Spanish-speakers and building career options.
W.W.U.A.S (Words Wisely Used and Awesomely Spoken)
Based on the Wordly Wise 3000 Curriculum and Oratorical Skill Development, this creative approach is envisioned to greatly enhance vocabulary development, passage comprehension, and oral and written communication skills. The scope and sequence of weekly activities and time frame for accomplishing this overall goal are provided by a creative and certificated artist. For 2009-2010, the targeted participants are third and fourth graders. Creative problem-solving and high order thinking skills are expected as groups challenge each other in weekly activities. WWUAS services are provided after school at Ross Elementary School on Monday and Wednesday and at Crump Elementary on Tuesday and Thursday.
The goals of W.W.U.A.S. are to:
- Enhance vocabulary development, passage comprehension, and oral and written communication skills.
- Discover the art of oration, while mastering elocution, diction, enunciation, and presentation of impromptu and prepared speeches.