On an early June afternoon at Camden High School, there was an unusual buzz of activity coming out of the art classroom for that time of day. Over twenty students were laughing, smiling, collaborating and painting together as they followed teacher Natalie Archibee’s instructions for the day’s project.
The students weren’t just creating art. They were sharing in an entirely new experience. This spring marked the debut of the District’s new Unified Fine Arts program. The group met five times after school throughout late May and early June, and completed projects step-by-step with the help of Archibee, art teacher Amy Andrews, and special education teacher Shannon McPheron.
Unified Fine Arts is a program based on a similar premise to the wildly successful Unified Sports programs. In the Unified Sports programs, players with intellectual disabilities compete on teams alongside players without intellectual disabilities. Every student is given an opportunity to use their skills to contribute to team success.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ravo Root and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Jason Evangelist helped to bring the program to Camden after learning about a similar program from a district located downstate. The concept fits in perfectly for what the District wants to accomplish in providing access to opportunities for all students.
“The District values learning, growth, and performance opportunities for all students,” Root said. “This program is an example of providing one of those avenues where all students can create and participate.”
In Unified Fine Arts, the spirit of teamwork and focus on a common goal that has driven Camden’s Unified programs to the pinnacle continues. However, the Fine Arts program offers a non-competitive environment that allows students to pursue an interest other than sports. As with the sports programs, students of all backgrounds participate together and work towards completing a project each day. They share ideas and assist each other along the way.
As an after-school program, no grades are given. To Andrews, keeping a grade out of the equation keeps the focus on creating great art, and that allows many of the students in her program to thrive in the process of creating something they can be proud of.
“I think that it's fun for students to experience the visual arts in a way that doesn’t end with a “grade”,” Andrews said. “In a typical art room setting, specific expectations are put into place and some students stress about adhering to specific criteria rather than focusing on the experience of creating. This program allowed students from all corners of CHS to come together and enjoy the process of creating art. They worked collaboratively to reach collective goals and had so much fun along the way.”
The group may have only had a short time to meet this school year, but McPheron sees that time having a lengthy impact on every student that took part. Many of the students entered as relative strangers, but left as fast friends.
“The biggest benefit the students received from this program was hands down being able to build relationships with students from all different parts of the building,” McPheron said. “It also helped to break down different social barriers that some students may have faced at the beginning of the program. At the end, they felt comfortable interacting with everyone in the room.”
The District hopes to build off the program’s promising start by adding a performing arts component in the future.
