Recommendations for PreK-12th Grade Arts Education as Mississippi Schools Reopen 2021-2022
The Mississippi Department of Education has developed Recommendations for PreK-12th Grade Arts Education as Mississippi Schools Reopen 2021-2022, in conjunction with a group of educators and state arts association leaders.
This document provides practical guidance for PreK-12 schools as administrators and arts educators seek to provide meaningful arts instruction for students of all ages and grade levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed recommendations outlined in this document represent a workable program that balances student health and safety with innovative and reimagined approaches to the courses and activities so important to students, parents, and schools across the state.
By maintaining access to safe and meaningful arts experiences, arts educators will continue to support the artistic, academic, social emotional development of students, schools, and communities across Mississippi.
Note: It is recommended to print the following documents in color.
Dance (PreK-12)
Media Arts (PreK-12)
Music (PreK-12)
Theatre (PreK-12)
Visual Arts (PreK-12)
Training Resources
- Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Arts Learning Standards Handouts
- Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Arts Learning Standards Training PowerPoint
Technology Resources
- Capturing the Journey: Creative Practices and Technology (Recorded Presentation)
- Capturing the Journey: Creative Practices and Technology (Handout)
- How-to video on FlipGrid
- How-to video on Seesaw (Digital Portfolio Tool)
Artistic Literacy
To be literate in the arts, students need specific knowledge and skills in a particular arts discipline to a degree that allows for fluency and deep understanding. In all the arts this means discovering the expressive elements and knowing the terminology that is used to comprehend an art form. Students should also have a clear sense of embodying that art form and be able to reflect, critique, and connect personal experience to the arts.
Arts Integration
The Mississippi Department of Education values arts integration which is an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form in all subject areas. According to the Kennedy Center, Arts Integration promotes student engagement in a creative process in subjects outside the arts. This integration connects an art form and another subject area and meets evolving objectives in both.
Professional Development Opportunities
Mississippi Whole Schools is a comprehensive statewide arts education program that uses arts as a vehicle for promoting high-quality instruction and learning for students in all disciplines. The Mississippi Whole Schools program provides statewide support to teachers on integrating the arts to provide learning opportunities to improve students’ academic achievement through the integration of the arts into the core curriculum.
Mississippi Arts Listserv
To subscribe to the Mississippi Arts Listserv, send a message to Limeul Eubanks with "Subscribe Arts Listserv" as the subject of the e-mail. Please include your name, art discipline, (Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, or Visual Arts) as well as the name of your school and district in Mississippi.