Community News

The Bucks County Intermediate Unit’s (BCIU) Art on the Move (AOTM) Program has received a $15,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) covering the 2016-2017 school year. Through the program each participating school receives a collection of six original pieces of art, by historical and contemporary Bucks County artists, for a period of 8–10 weeks in either the fall or spring of the academic year. With each set of artwork, a unique interdisciplinary curriculum is supplied that allows the artwork to be used as a springboard for learning and the creation of work in response to the collection. There are currently nine collections in rotation throughout Bucks County.

This NEA grant provides an opportunity to create a new rotating collection and interdisciplinary curriculum focused on ‘STEAM’ (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics).  A group of Bucks County teachers gathered for a week of curriculum writing highlighting academic standards, design elements, and application to real world scenarios that will allow the art to act as the springboard for creative solutions. In addition, the focus of the collection includes accessibility and adaptations for students with disabilities.

“The arts are all around us, enhancing our lives in ways both subtle and obvious, expected and unexpected,” said National Endowment of the Arts Chairman Jane Chu. “Supporting projects like the one from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit 22 offers more opportunities to engage in the arts every day.”

The BCIU Arts Education Trust, in collaboration with the James A. Michener Art Museum, oversee the care and management of this special and unique collection of Bucks County art.  The Michener Art Museum is also a major supporter of the Art on the Move program. Michener staff oversee the installation and removal of the art work in each participating school and is home to the collections when they are not in rotation throughout the county.

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ABOUT THE BUCKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT:

With over 45 years of service, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit has established itself as an abundantly skilled, technology-rich, provider of high quality, cost-effective, instructional and operational services to public and private schools, school districts, charter schools, and our community.  From an exceptional and broad foundation of specialty education support services we advocate for every child, while also offering a wide-range of programs, from cooperative purchasing to professional development courses, to nurture a stronger community.    Visit our website at www.BucksIU.org or call us at 215-348-2940 for more information. 

ABOUT THE JAMES A. MICHENER ART MUSEUM:

The James A. Michener Art Museum collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits American art, and promotes the work of nationally and internationally known Bucks County artists of all eras and creative disciplines. The museum presents exhibitions that explore a variety of artistic expressions and offers diverse educational programs that develop a lifelong involvement in the arts. The James A. Michener Art Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Michener Art Museum is located at 138 South Pine St., Doylestown, PA. The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 am - 4:30 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; and Sunday, noon - 5:00 pm. For more information, visit MichenerArtMuseum.org or call 215.340.9800.