"SchoolTour" Program
The following is a listing of locally-based artists who offer programs for schools.
How to apply for the grant:
1. Confirm this is the only grant request submitted for your school this year.
2. Read through the program offerings; select the program and artist(s) you wish and contact
the artist(s) to make arrangements.
3. Complete "SchoolTour" application form (scroll to the end of this document)
4. 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.
5. Submit the application to the Arts Council. Grant must be approved before the project
begins.
STORYTELLING
“Leanne Johnson, Storyteller”
815-979-9196
L.stories@LeanneTells.com
Grades: All
Length of Performances: 45 minutes
Fee: Varies
Enjoy the ancient art of Storytelling! A story session with Leanne is lively, entertaining, and
thought provoking. She enjoys working with all audiences and in a variety of assembly and
classroom settings. Even Middle School students like her! She gracefully balances her
performances with humor, intelligence, and rich, age-appropriate language, words play,
verses sing. Toes tap as her characters dance their way along the path of story.
Current Assembly programs include:
 Magic of Reading: Can reading save the day? Of Course! (K-8th)
 Magic of Writing: Original stories and favorite children’s classics, wrapped in an
inspiring message-yes, YOU can write, too! (K-8th)
 We the American People-Courage: True tales of brave people in American history (5th12th)
 Civil War: Slavery, wartime experiences, and reconstruction (5th-12th)
 Character Counts: Entertaining, teaches without preaching (K-8th)
 Wee Folks $ Wise Fools: International folk tales (K-8th)
 Celtic Heart: Irish tales from leprechauns to literature (K-8th)
NOTE: Additional themes can be developed with 6 weeks notice.
“ONCE UPON A TIME…discovering the magic in Reading”
Loren Hecht
815-766-0016 (home)
Website: www.lorenhecht.com
email: lbhecht@hotmail.com
Grades: K-8
Length of performance: 45 minutes
Fee: $550 for one-two shows $700 for three (same day)
Professional writer, performer and college teacher, Loren Hecht, founder of POWER SOLO
PERFORMANCES, presents “ONCE UPON A TIME…discovering the magic in Reading”--- a 45minute, high energy, one-woman show in which students learn how and why reading is
important, and how storytelling is an integral part of what makes reading possible. The
assembly is colorful, interactive, and thoroughly engages the kids.
“ONCE UPON A TIME…discovering the magic in Reading” would be a meaningful
presentation during Children’s Book Week in November, or Reading Week in April, on family
night, or as the launching event for a Young Authors’ Series. Truly, the assembly is
appropriate at any time.
Phyllis Peterson, Skylark Publishing Co.
815-633-0492
skylarkpp@aol.com
Length of performance: 40-50 minutes
Ages: 9-18
Fee: $50
"Exploring Rigid Roles through Storytelling"
Ms. Peterson tells stories that illustrate how girls and boys can work together to create
equality. Women and girls emerge as heroes. This is a vital concept in this day and age since
99% of the heroes of past centuries were men and boys fighting dragons, armies, malevolent
machines and such. The story of woman as hero achieves a new level with virtues and skills
that are not dependent upon violence and force. The stories are rich with meaning and
symbolism. Discussion questions will follow each story with the class divided into groups of
6, three girls and three boys.
LITERARY ARTS
Barbara Santucci
815-885-3695
barbara@barbarasantucci.com
Four Assembly offerings:
Grades: All grade levels
Fee: Vary
“A Writer and an Artist at Work”
Barbara Santucci shares her life as a writer and artist through slides and discussion using her
books, Loon Summer and Anna’s Corn. She will share information about sources inspiration
for her work from loons and farms, to her own paintings. Included will be a discussion of a
writer’s responsibility to remember her or his own history—and to use writing as a vehicle
for exploring what we love about our lives and what compels us to move forward.
“Loon Summer”
Through the use of slides Barbara shares information about the inspiration for this book.
Inside information about the research and writing of this book-as well as a discussion of
loons in their natural habitat will make this a memorable session.
“Anna’s Corn”
Barbara will give a slide presentation of Anna’s Corn. She incorporates slides of corn fields
during all three growing seasons and photos from a traditional Midwestern fair and a lively
discussion/question and answer forum.
The slide presentation may be combined with a 30 minute workshop where Barbara will
guide students in developing a class story. This story will include 6 basic story elements,
characters, setting, conflict, resolution, ending, and a title.
“Abby’s Chairs”
Barbara will share her new book, ABBY’S CHAIRS, through a slide presentation. ABBY’S
CHAIRS is a humorous story about adjusting to a move to a new home. Barbara will also
present slides of her own art work. If time permits she will lead the group in a class story,
incorporating the six elements of story.
“PO-Biz”
Christine Swanberg, poet
815-398-0855
pobiz@core.com
Grades: 6-12
Fee: $30/hour
Nationally known poet, Christene Swanberg, can talk to your students about becoming a
writer. She can design a poetry reading based on the interests of students. These such as
friendship, nature, love, travel, and social issues can be incorporated. This can be used in
conjunction with workshops or residencies. Length of Performance: 30 minutes-2 hours
Author!!!
Sheila Kelly Welch
815-938-2275
E-Mail: sheilawelch@juno.com
Websites: http://shadowplay.userworld.com/sheilawelch
www.scbwi-illinois.org/Welch.html
Grades: Lower elementary-middle school
Fees: Vary
Sheila’s assembly programs are a blend of entertainment and information based on her
experience as a published children’s author/ illustrator. In addition to explaining where she
gets her ideas and other secrets of creative writing, she reads one of her original stories and
answers students’ questions.
MUSIC
"The Development of American Music through its Ethnical Roots"
Jim Kanas
815-562-4553
Web Site: www.jimkanas.com
E-Mail: information@jimkanas.com
Grades: K-12
Length of performance: 50 minutes
Fee: $350.00
This assembly/presentation/performance traces American music through its European,
African and Latin roots. Students go on a guided journey through time from early American
to modern jazz music, the thread of which is the "living oral tradition of folk music" and the
process of improvisation. Mr. Kanas demonstrates, discusses, sings and performs on fiddle
spoons, saw, dobro, sweet potato, pocket instruments, flutes, banjo and others! Typically
even the youngest listener is drawn into this highly acclaimed intellectual program. Audience
participates by clapping in time, enacting motions, and singing in call-and-response. Some
student volunteers are selected for demonstration assistance.
NOTE: Jim offers a companion workshop for this assembly (see “Workshops for the
Classroom” section).
Symphony Goes to School
Artist: RSO Musicians (musicians vary)
Contact: Lorie Langan
815-972-2942
Grades: 3rd and 4th
Length of performance: 30 minutes
Fee: $10.00 per session
Individual Rockford Symphony Orchestra musicians provide students with information and
demonstrations on their primary instrument and the other instruments in its family.
Students learn about the instrument’s history and role in a symphony orchestra.
Four individual sessions complete the series introducing students to string, percussion,
woodwinds and brass instruments. The series is designed to increase students’ understand
and enjoyment of classical music and prepare them for the Spring Youth Concert offered to
5th and 6th graders each year.
“Symphony Gores to School” addresses the following ISBE and District 205 Standards and
Curriculum Goals: Grade 3 & 4 Science-12C, Music-25A, 26A, 27 A & B
Rockford Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Quintet
Contact: Lorie Langan
815-972-2939
Length of performance: 45 minutes
Grades: 6th & 7th
Fee: $25 per session
The five Rockford Symphony Orchestra musicians’ presentation includes an introduction to
the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn with a variety of musical styles
performed. The presentation also incorporates ISBE goals in language arts (4A, 4B), social
studies (18A) and music (25A, 26A, 27 A&B). This lively and interactive program gives
students a chance to hear live performance in their school.
Dorothy Paige Turner and the Joel Ross Quartet
815-877-6582
"Jazz is Elementary"
Length of performance: 45-60 minutes
Fee: $500-750
Performers will share history, styles, specific innovators and basic instrument; concepts of
the "basics" of Jazz is a performance designed for listening, participation and interaction.
"SchoolTour" Application
School__________________________________________________________________
School contact name _______________________________________________________
Phone ________________________ Email _____________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________
City/State/ Zip ____________________________________________________________
Principal _________________________________________________________________
Name of Artist __________________________________________________________
Performance___________________________________________________________
Date request(s): __________________________Start time:_______________________
Fees
Mileage Calculation
Starting Address Destination Address # mi # trips Total # mi.
Total: # miles
x 0.37
1. Performance Fee
2. Mileage # miles _____ x 0.37
3. Total of Fees
= ___________
$____________________
$____________________
$ ____________________
Grant Request (50% of total cost)
$____________________
School Contribution (50%) of Total Cost *
$____________________
Note: the school will receive an invoice for this amount after the performance has been
approved and completed. Please do not send money with the application or directly pay the
artist.
Statement of Assurances
The applicant HEREBY AGREES THAT:
1. The activities and services for which grant assistance is sought will be administered by
or under the supervision of the applicant.
2. The policies of the “Artists in Schools Grant Program” will be followed:
Policies
 Videotaping or recording of artist presentations is prohibited.
 Teachers must be present at all times during the performance.
3. The figures, facts and representation in the application are true and correct to the
best of its knowledge and belief.
This ASSURANCE is binding on the Applicant, its successors, transferees and assignees.
The person (or persons) whose signature appears below is authorized to sign this
Assurance on behalf of the Applicant.
Signatures:
__________________________________________________________________
Signature of Authorizing Official
date
________________________________________________________________________________________
Printed Name and Title
________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of person completing the Application
date
________________________________________________________________________________________
Printed Name and Title
________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Artist
date
________________________________________________________________________________________
Printed Name
Artist
Send completed Applications to:
RAAC Artists in School Grant Program
713 East State
Rockford, IL. 61104
or fax to: 815-963-8958
or email: sharon@artsforeveryone.com
Please put “Arts Grant” in subject line.