How I Became an Artista
HOW I BECAME AN ARTISTA: A CULTURAL LITERACY PROGRAM
HOW I BECAME AN ARTISTA: A CULTURAL LITERACY PROGRAM
How I Became an Artista is a cultural literacy program organized by CALA Alliance, Childsplay and ASU Art Museum that introduces elementary students in Metro Phoenix to the life and work of Latino/a and Latin American artists. Through reading, movement and art-making, teaching artists in the visual and performing arts tell the story of how children become artistas who celebrate culture and make new traditions.
Established in 2011, this multi-faceted and interactive program has reached over 8,000 young children in 35 Metro Phoenix Title I elementary schools. Past programs focused on the life and work of Mexican artists Diego Rivera (The Diego Project: 2011-2013) and Frida Kahlo (The Frida Project: 2014-2016), with funding generously provided by the J. W. Kieckhefer Foundation, the Margaret T. Morris Foundation, the Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation and Target.
HOW I BECAME AN ARTISTA: 2017: CELIA CRUZ
In 2017, How I Became an Artista focused on Cuban music legend Celia Cruz. During month-long school residencies in April-May 2017, students in third and fourth grade classrooms participated in the following activities led by Phoenix teaching artists:
- Reading: Students read the bilingual English/Spanish book My Name is Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz by Monica Brown, and get a copy to take home.
- Critical Thinking: Students learned about the life and work of Celia Cruz through musical/visual presentations and discussion.
- Movement and Art-Making: Students created visual and movement-based works inspired by the art of Celia Cruz.
- Celebration: Students exhibited and shared their art in a family-friendly community celebration.
