SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) honored the first-place winner of the statewide poster contest for Illinois Arts Education Week, Oswego High School junior and Advanced Placement Studio Art student Lia Lauck. (See photos from the board meeting below.) Governor Bruce Rauner designated March 13-19, 2017, Illinois' 35th annual Arts Education Week. The weeklong celebration recognizes the importance of fine arts to a complete and competitive education for the whole child.
The statewide poster contest for Illinois Arts Education Week alternates between elementary/middle and secondary students each year. This year, students in ninth through twelfth grades created posters reflecting the theme, “Art Has No Boundaries!"
“Fine arts education empowers students to express their understanding and experiences through multiple modes," said State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “Through the practice and study of fine arts, students learn critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creative problem solving – essential skills for college and career readiness. Illinois Arts Education Week reminds us to celebrate fine arts in our schools and communities. Thank you to all of the participants in Illinois Arts Education Week, and congratulations to the talented winners of the poster contest and their amazing teachers."
The resolution passed by the State Board at its regular business meeting March 15 also recognizes Lauck's art teacher Michael Skura, Oswego High School principal Mike Wayne, and Oswego Community Unit School District 308 Superintendent Dr. John Sparlin for valuing fine arts in education and encouraging students' self-expression and cross-cultural understanding.
Lauck's winning poster design involves intricate and mixed media drawing using both colored pencils and pen and ink. Lauck's artist statement says she found inspiration in the work of poet Nayyirah Waheed.
The back of the poster contains information about the
Illinois Learning Standards for fine arts, which go into effect beginning with the 2018-19 school year; upcoming fine arts events in 2017; and resources about the impact of fine arts in forming a well-rounded education.
Anna Schultz, a 17-year-old junior taught by Michele Morris at The Willows Academy in Des Plaines, won second place in the poster contest. Heidi Fischer, a 16 year-old junior taught by Judy Krueger at Johnsburg High School in Johnsburg School District 12, received third place in the poster contest.
All of the 2017 poster contest winners will receive recognition at the 69th annual Illinois Art Education Association Fall Conference Dec. 2 in St. Charles.
The Illinois State Board of Education sponsors Illinois Arts Education Week in conjunction with Governor Rauner and the Illinois Art Education Association, a professional nonprofit organization for art educators, individuals, and groups supporting visual arts education.
Visit
www.isbe.net/Pages/Arts-Week.aspx to view the winning poster and learn more about the competition. Request a 2017 Arts Education Week poster from ISBE's College and Career Readiness Division at (217) 524-4832,
arts@isbe.net, or via mail at 100 N. First St., C-215, Springfield, IL 62777-0001.
2017 Illinois Arts Education Week poster contest winner Lia Lauck with Board Chairman James T. Meeks and State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D.
2017 Illinois Arts Education Week poster contest winner Lia Lauck with her family, principal, and art teacher, Board Chairman James T. Meeks, and State Superintendent of Education Tony Smith, Ph.D.
