Hawthorne Arts Partnership

Hawthorne Scholastic Academy has a strong history of supporting the arts in our curriculum and community. We sustain a high quality arts education program for every student, grades K-8. We pride ourselves as a leader in the arts at the elementary level within Chicago Public Schools. Even as the district and schools’ budgets have been forced to make cuts, our school has made it a priority to keep a full time music and visual arts teacher.

In addition to our full time visual arts and music teachers on staff, Hawthorne has a strong tradition of an annual Arts Partnership Program that every student participates in, showcasing the connections they make between the arts and their core curriculum. Since 1992, we have partnered with organizations such as Lookingglass Theatre and Chicago Arts Partnership in Education (CAPE). Professional artists and classroom teachers co-plan units of deep investigation and reflection. This gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of creative channels that are designed to integrate the learning of core subject content. These units weave the arts through social studies, science, language arts and mathematics. Different types of learners connect with the curriculum in meaningful, informative and personally challenging ways. Our students nurture the skills of analytic thinking and develop the technical abilities of a variety of art forms.

Our Arts Partnership Showcases do more than highlight our students' achievements; they bring our community together, providing insight for families about students’ learning within the classroom. Students delight in becoming docents, sharing what they have learned and created as individuals and collaboratively. Each unit culminates in a process-based showcase where students become the resident experts, guiding the community through the variety of projects and performances. The enrichment gained is unparalleled and our program stands out as a true leader in the field of arts integration.

Hawthorne’s Arts Partnership can provide a rich and rigorous six- to eight-week unit of deep investigation for approximately $75 a student. Annual program costs include professional development, planning support for teachers and visiting artists, supplies, and program administration. The continued operation and success of the Hawthorne Art partnership depends on the support and generosity of the Hawthorne community and PTA. Thank you for your support!