Artist-in-Residence Program
Artists will create and present arts lessons to address your curriculum needs. Select an artist from the roster, contact him/her to plan the residency and complete the Artist in Residency Application Form Apply early! Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The grant for a residency will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Quality of active student involvement
- Evidence that the residency is an integral part of the curriculum
- Evidence of careful planning with the artist
- Clearly stated and attainable student outcomes
- Quality of faculty preparation and participation
Expense Budget
There is a simple expense budget to complete for the grant. It includes artist fees, supplies, and transportation (mileage).
Artist fee is $37.50 per hour. Residencies include planning time for the artist. The amount of planning time allowed is 15 minutes for every hour of student contact time.
Supplies are for consumable supplies purchased or provided by the artist for this project. Any supplies purchased for the project will remain with the school for follow up activities.
Mileage is allowed at the rate of 0.37 per mile.
Policies:
Videotaping or recording of artist presentations is prohibited.
Teachers must be present at all times during the workshop or residency.
Maximum number of students an artist may see in one session: 30
How to apply for the grant:
- Confirm this is the only grant request submitted for your school this year.
- Read through the program offerings; select the program and artist(s) you wish and contact the artist(s) to plan the project.
- Complete "Artist in Residence" application form (scroll to the end of this document)
- Call Sharon Nesbit-Davis, Education/Outreach Director at 815-963-6765, if you have questions or need assistance in completing the form or designing your project.
- Submit the application to the Arts Council. Grant must be approved before the project begins.
Artist Roster
Note: These artists have applied and been accepted by a review committee for the “Artist in Schools” residency program. Teachers may also request an artist not listed by call the Education Director, Sharon Nesbit-Davis at 815-963-6765.
Dance
Petria Foss Milroy, Director and Teacher
815-654-7190
Email:
Bio: Petria Foss Milroy, Director of the Ballet Metropolitan Dance Company, has experience and training in many dance forms. She has her BFA in dance and her Masters Degree in dance from NorthernIllinoisUniversity. Petria has danced professionally with companies throughout the country as well as taught dance for over 20 years.
Residences: Teach dance techniques of space, rhythm, color, and music in the presentations and incorporate the love of movement through ballet, modern, and Spanish dance
Grades: K-12
Marvin Hawkins
Dance
815-742-8782
Bio: Marvin Hawkins is a Hip Hop dancer and choreographer who has danced as the opening act for various professional rap artists and appeared in a Destiny Child’s video. Marvin is self-taught and has won every talent show in the area and danced in shows broadcast on Chicago television stations. He has taught dance at the Rockford Park District's Totally Arts Camp, 21st Century After School programs and Rockford Area Arts Council’s ArtsPlace program.
Residencies: Teaches hip hop and choreographs dances in collaboration with the students.
Grades: K-12
Maria Castello
Dance
815-962-0954
Bio: Maria graduated from the National School of Dance and the MedicalSchool, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst. She has been a dancer choreographer and teacher for more than 25 years. She has worked in Argentina, Brazil, Canada and throughout the United States. Since 1996 Maria has been active in the community creating and organizing many outreach programs in schools and in collaboration with other arts organizations. Maria is the Artistic Director of the Without Shoes Modern Dance Company.
Residencies: Maria’s background in arts, science, and her diverse cultural experiences (bilingual) give her a unique perspective in the creation of programs designed to facilitate the learning experience. Maria will design lessons to enhance science and other curriculum areas.
Grades: K-12
Margaret Rennerfeldt
Dance
815-394-5908
Bio: Margaret holds a BFA & MFA in dance and an MAT in reading. She has over 18 years professional performing and teaching experience. Margaret has participated in long term residences at numerous Rockford area schools and pre-schools.
Residencies: Curriculum-based, theme-based, or movement experiences based solely on the art of dance.
Grades: pre-school-High School
Drama
(see "multi-disciplinary" for more drama artists)
Geri Vance Carter
Therapeutic Drama
Phone: (815) 398-1438
Bio: Storyteller, director, play writer, poet, artist, and actress are her genres.
Residency: The content and style of Ms. Carter’s particular art form helps through all curriculum
areas. Each genre promotes a helpful, fun and clear way to articulate a learning experience for the
student both morally and academically.
Grades: ALL
Steve Vrtol
Theater
815-962-7035
Bio: Stephen Vrtol is well known in the Rockford area through his 15 year tenure as a staff actor, teacher and director with New American Theater. He founded the "Stars of Light" Theatre Troupe through the Janet Wattles Mental Health Center to help educate the general public on mental illness. Stephen recently taught theater at KeithCountryDay School. Steve is working with the newly formed Artist Ensemble.
Residences: Team building, ensemble work, monologue and scene work, and improvisation.
Grades: 6-12
Literary Arts(See "multi-disciplinary" for additional artists)
Barbara Santucci
Author
815-885-3695
Bio: Barbara is a writer, artist, former teacher, and librarian. Her love for children’s literature fueled her desire to write for children. She is the author of two award winning picture books titled LOON SUMMER and ANNA’S CORN and a recently released third book titled ABBY’S CHAIRS. Barbara divides her time between writing, teaching, speaking at schools, painting and exhibiting her work. In 2002, she won the Blanche Ellis Starr Award for the Arts in Rockford and was selected for the touring Illinois Women Arts: the New Millennium Show.
Residencies: Children will learn the basic elements of creating and writing stories
Grades: K-5
Christine Swanberg
Author
815-398-0855
Bio: Christine has had seven of her books of poetry published and has had over 300 works appear in magazines. Her book titles include: Who Walks Among the Trees with Charity; The Red Lacquer Room; The Tenderness of Memory; Invisible String.She has received numerous honors for her work. She has extensive post-graduate training in writing and has thirty years of teaching at various levels.
Residencies: Poetry reading, discussing technique, writing poems, and sharing them.
Grades: 9-12
Sheila Kelly Welch
Author
815-938-2275
Websites:
Bio: Sheila is a published author and illustrator of children’s books. She was a finalist for the Benjamin Franklin award, and her most recent book, THE SHADOWED UNICORN, was nominated for South Dakota’s young readers’ award (similar to the Rebecca Caudill award in IL.). Sheila taught special education in inner city Philadelphia and rural Minnesota. She has conducted presentations and residencies in over 80 schools in Illinois, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.
Residencies: Presentations designed to meet the writing needs and ages of the students.
Grades: Pre-School-12
Media
Bill Howard
Video, Photography, Computer
815-624-7692
Bio: Bill has worked for many years with production-oriented experiences in media arts. He has worked with children and youth through the Arts Council, the Rockford Park District, YMCA, and area schools.
Residencies: Project-oriented experience in Media Arts; video, 35 mm or digital photography, computer graphics...individually or collectively.
Grades: K-12
Mime
Sharon Nesbit-Davis
Mime & Storytelling
815-962-1892
Bio: Sharon Nesbit-Davis has toured her own one woman mime show to schools and festivals in the Midwest for over 25 years. She has conducted school residencies through the Illinois Arts Council and was an artist in residence at SpectrumSchool for nine years where she worked with classroom teachers to incorporate Howard Gardner’s theory on Multiple Intelligences throughout the curriculum.Sharon celebrated midlife with a new concert titled “Mime in Mental Pause”.
Residencies: Students learn basic mime technique to create scenes, tableaus and short pantomimes. Reading, writing and science curriculum are used as inspiration for the created work. Residencies can conclude with a culminating performance.
Grades: Pre school-12
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY
Phyllis K. Peterson
Storyteller, Writer, Illustrator
815-633-0492
Bio: Phyllis founded her own company, “Skylark Inc.” to present stories for children (and adults) on vital issues of personal safety and empowerment. The Los AngelesSchool District, EllisSchool, and family violence shelters across the country are using Phyllis’ stories, videos and books. Her work has become internationally known and she has traveled most recently to England and Thailand to present workshops to children and adults. Locally she has worked with children and adults at community centers and schools through programs of the Arts Council for the past twelve years.
Residencies: Storytelling, creative writing, visual arts, poetry, and inventive ways of engaging children and inviting them to think creatively.
Grades: Pre-school -12
Julian Swain
Singer, dancer, actor, choreographer and storyteller
815-965-5394
Bio: Julian is a Chicago Cultural Arts Affiliated artist and has presented programs and residencies for schools throughout Chicago and the nation. He is a singer, actor, dancer, choreographer and story teller with a lifetime of experiences. Julian recently received the Paul Robeson Award from the Black Theatre Alliance of Chicago and in 2004 the Chicago Park District named Julian “Senior of the Year”
Residencies: Consultation, choreography, and direction. Specializes in African Dance and the music, literature, and poetry of the Harlem Renaissance.
Grades: 4-12
Music
Jim Kanas
American Roots Musician, Jazz Guitarist
815-562-4553
Web Site:
E-Mail:
Bio: Jim Kanas, an award winning jazz guitarist, has conducted numerous residencies independently and through the Illinois Arts Council for 20 years. Since 1977 Jim has performed original music at universities, festivals, and theaters, broadcast medium and was featured on WTTWIL Chicago Public Television on “Arts Across Illinois. Jim has shared the stage and recorded with many well known artists and attended Boston and Northern Illinois Universities.
Residencies: Trace the development of American Folk Music through its ethnic roots. Activities include songwriting, instrument building, singing in call-and-response, playing spoons, storytelling, movement and instrumental improvisation.
Jazz improvisation clinics/sessions are available for music students
Grades: K-12
Dorothy Paige-Turner
Jazz singer, music educator, songwriter, storyteller, producer, director, etc…
815-877-6582
Bio: Dorothy Paige-Turner is an award-winning, well-known and highly-respected artist and music educator. She taught music education for 34 years; worked as a presenter for curriculum integration through the arts; wrote, produced and directed plays and musicals for children and adults. Dorothy has been the recipient of The Mayor's Award for the Arts, Blanche Ellis Starr Award for the Arts and numerous RAMI awards.
Residencies: Explore how music relates to other academic disciplines; African American history studies incorporating music, movement and storytelling; language experiences, songwriting and poetry writing to enhance reading, math, science and social studies.
Grades: Pre-school-HighSchool
Traditional Ethnic and Folk Arts
Andrea Sotebeer Azar
Multi-cultural arts, Music
815-282-0760
Bio: Andrea was a part of a People to People International Music Education Delegation to Indonesia, USSR, Viet NAM and China. She is the author of Music Survey for Adult Education and an international lecturer of “Music History-1600 to the Present”. Andrea has been a private and public school music teacher for over 20 years.
Residencies: Curriculum development using the multi-cultural arts message through visual, aural, and hands-on music demonstrations
Grades: K-12
Storytelling
Leanne Johnson
Storyteller
815-979-9196
E-Mail:
Bio: Leanne Johnson’s educational background includes a Bachelors Degree in Music from BradleyUniversity and a Masters Degree in Library & Information Studies from NorthernIL. University. In addition, she has worked professionally as both church organist and clown-though never at the same time. Leanne has been working as a professional storyteller for over 15 years. She was one of the featured storytellers at the 2003 National Storytelling Conference, held in Chicago. She has presented storytelling workshops at Northlands Storytelling Network conferences as well as major storytelling conferences throughout the country. Leanne recently spent 3 years living aboard a 36-foot powerboat. She traveled over 12,000 miles collecting stories along the waterfronts of 18 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
Residences: Classroom lecture, group work, one-on-one coaching, and per review. An optional performance is included in each residency. Residencies support IL. State Learning Standards in English Language Arts and Fine Arts.
Grades: K-12
Visual Art (See additional listings in "multi-disciplinary")
Stella Dobbins
Visual Artist
815-877-6657
E-Mail:
Bio: Stella has been a practicing artist and teacher since 1982. She received her B.A. from the University of Illinois and her M.A. from the University of Houston. She taught art in Texas at College of the Mainland and RiceUniversity. Locally Stella has taught at ArtsPlace, RockValleyCollege and various elementary schools. She has presented watercolor and Chinese brush painting workshops throughout the US. She teaches students in the classroom and outside in the beautiful AndersonJapaneseGardens. Students will learn modern watercolor techniques with traditional Chinese methods such as: contour, spontaneous dry brush and glazed styles. Learn how to paint from a choice of subjects such as: landscape, flowers, animals, birds, etc.
Residencies: Chinese brush painting, water color, painting
Grades: K-12
Ingrid Dohm
Visual Artist
815-282-4622
Bio: Ingrid is an artist known for her work throughout Europe, where she spends a great deal of time exhibiting and giving workshops on watercolor technique. She has earned a national reputation in the U.S. and locally is known for her generosity in donated beautiful works of art to many local benefits including the Art Council’s Mayor’s Arts Awards in which she creates a new painting of the Coronado Theatre which is auctioned at the event.
Residencies: presents hands-on watercolor experiences and demonstrations.
Grades: Pre-school-12
Allison Johnson
Jewelry and Glass Bead Maker, Visual Artist, Educator
815-761-9618
Bio: Allison has been making art and jewelry for as long as she can remember. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Northern Illinois University in Metalwork and Jewelry and is a certified art teacher K-12. Though Allison loves to make art in a variety of media, she has specialized in making Flameworked Glass Beads, a time honored process of manipulating glass in the flame of a torch. She has taught her art form to children and adults in many educational settings and has had the pleasure of demonstrating the process of making glass beads as a guest artist in schools on numerous occasions.
Residencies: Demonstrations of Glass bead making, jewelry making workshops, creating art relative to curriculum.
Grades: K-12
Norm Knott
Visual Artist, Mixed-media and Recycling
815-654-2396
Email:
Bio: Normbegan studying art at age five and has continued over the decades with and without formal instruction garnering a number of honors along the way and being exhibited nationally. A two time Rockford Mayors Arts Award nominee; hehas taught locally at Rockford Art Museum, Womanspace, for the Girlscouts, and privately. All of his classroom themes involve recycling and environmental consciousness raising and can be presented in workshop or residency settings. They are all adaptable to K -Adults and feature an optional video presentation and step by step instruction. Here is a list of five potential projects-
1. Creating a keepsake box with recycled "bling".
2. Redesigning worn-out jeans and t-shirts into wearable art.
3. Creating group out-door collages out of found natural objects (plants, rocks, etc.) in warmer weather.
4. Elegant recycled plastic bottle and jar vases (great for a Holiday project).
5. Fingerpainting/collage using recycleables for application and decoration.
Rebecca Maselli, MAAT, LPC
Visual Artist, Art Therapist, Fiber Arts
815-885-2051
Bio: Rebecca has her Bachelor of Arts in Art Education K-12 and a Masters in Art Therapy, with Licensure for Illinois as a Professional Counselor. Rebecca is also certified to teach Art K-12 in Illinois and Iowa. Rebecca has taught art and has worked in art related businesses, advertising, television, graphics, etc. She recently established a community based studio with a creative arts approach to therapy.
Residencies: assess individual student's work and create individualized plans for children that will contribute to their educational learning, emotional development and personal goals. Rebecca will also present residences in fiber.
Grades: K-12
Peter J. Swanson
Phone: 815-519-2890
Email:
Visual Arts, Cartooning
Bio: Peter received his artistic training at Millikin University, Palm Beach Community College and Rock Valley College. He is a self taught cartoonist and recently created cartoons for the Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s Family Series promotion. He enjoys working with children and youth, and has found that as soon as they learn he is a cartoonist they are engaged, focused and cooperative.