The Arts Council and its Arts in Education (AIE)
Program have formed partnerships with local agencies to share limited
resources and extend their mutual effectiveness.
The AIE Program works
closely with the Arts Coordinator at the Department of Education
(DOE) Curriculum Development Program and with school administrators
and teachers in the presentation of artist residencies in the
schools, teacher in-service training in the arts, and campaigning
for better arts venues and classrooms. The AIE Coordinator has
also formed a close working relationship with the Director and
teachers in the Special Education Division.
The Arts Council has formed
partnerships with the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council
in presentation of an Arts & Culture Festival and other joint
projects.
Art shows, poetry
readings, and receptions for artists take place regularly at the
Feleti Barstow Public Library in cooperation with the Arts Council.
The AIE Program has implemented an arts in reading component into
the Library's campaign for young readers.
The
Arts Council is regularly called upon by the Office of the Governor
as its liaison for performance arts, arranging for traditional
performance groups for such Territory-wide events as the South
Pacific Mini-Games and other similar events.
The
Arts Council works with the Office of Tourism to arrange performances
by traditional village and church groups at tourism events, such
as the arrival of cruise ships.
Through
partnership with the Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA),
the Arts Council utilizes senior craftspeople in their folk arts
programs, such as the daily Live Cultural Presentation program
at the Jean P. Haydon Museum, the AIE's artist in residency, and
grandparent programs.
The Arts
Council's partnership with the Department of Human and Social
Services, Division of Youth and Women's Affairs involves artists
working through their programs to widen the appreciation and usefulness
of art in social services.
The
Arts Council has also formed a working partnership with the Samoa
Arts Cooperative; this nonprofit consortium of local arts organizations
has led to new involvement and excitement in the local arts scene.
A Memorandum of Agreement
between the Arts Council and Aiga Tautai o Samoa (Samoan Voyaging
Society) has led to their most recent traditional Samoan sailing
vessel, the Alia Pualele, becoming a living external exhibit of
the Jean P. Haydon Museum, where students can learn about the
history and methods of traditional Samoan boat building and navigation.
The Arts Council has long been an active member
of the regional arts organization, the Consortium for Pacific Arts
and Cultures (CPAC), in an attempt to extend its resources and effectiveness.
Unfortunately, for several years CPAC's ability to deliver effective
regional support and extension was in doubt, primarily due to internal
organizational problems. However, we anticipate continuing the relationship.
