In the past month since REDU launched, we have seen the call for education reinvention thrust into the middle of a national conversation. The numbers are staggering – a third of our students never graduate, US ranks 18th out of 21 countries in math and science, over 1 million veteran teachers are set to retire. So, whether it’s Waiting for Superman, the Education Nation summit, or just over the news, the topic of improving educational outcomes in the US is top of mind for many, and we at REDU are hard at work trying to find the best stories to inspire, smartest ways to connect, and the most useful resources for action.
In our continued effort to move the conversation along by engaging people on the topic, today, we’re excited to announce the latest REDU project called RE:FORM SCHOOL in NYC (10/9-11). RE:FORM SCHOOL is a high profile, pop-up art exhibition, event series, and public awareness campaign designed to bring together and engage the creative community in the drive to change the American public education system. Yosi Sargent, the driving force behind the effort and a REDU partner, talks about initiative as well as the correlation between arts and academics and life success.
Over 150 of today’s top artists are participating in the event, including Shepard Fairey, Michel Gondry, Swoon, WK Interact, FAILE, Maya Hayuk, Ken Swift (Rock Steady Crew), Marc Ecko and many more celebrated talents who have banded together to help inspire through their artwork or by leading innovative workshops for kids. But artists are everywhere, not just in galleries or magazines. To make sure no willing talent was left untapped, an art contest was held with 5 winners who will have their work displayed alongside top artists in the gallery with 20 runner-ups being recognized with a custom Visual Search Gallery.
Art sales will benefit The Urban Arts Partnership (http://urbanarts.org). To keep creative projects going in classrooms, DonorsChoose cards will be handed out at the event while supply lasts.
RE:FORM SCHOOL, a REDU project, is free and open to the public. Taking place in the heart of New York City from Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 10:00 am until Monday, October 11, 2010 at 6:00 pm. Join us at the converted Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral Catholic School, located at 233 Mott Street New York, NY 10012 (Prince at Mott St).
If you’re in NYC, this is a can’t-miss event to celebrate the role of creativity in our schools. For those of you interested but can’t make it, we will be uploading tons of content from the event to REDU web properties (REDU,RE:FORM SCHOOL). Check out these sites to get inspired and to take part in the conversation.
Aya Zook, Stefan Weitz, Betsy Aoki – REDU
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