About the Program

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A two-year demonstration project, Confluence Project in the Schools included participation of 12 schools, more than 16,000 students, 200 teachers and dozens of community groups, organizations and governmental leaders during its inaugural year (2004–2005). Now in its second year (2005–2006), 17 additional schools in Washington and Oregon were selected to participate in the program. Each school worked hard to design and install their creative public art projects, which were unveiled in 2006.

Confluence Project in the Schools provides a unique opportunity to assist schools with the adaptation of a new exemplary national model for arts education programs that involve community engagement. Benefits to students, teachers and the community include new permanent, public artworks created by students; the development of students' skills in the areas of critical thinking, problem solving, dialogue, negotiation, civic engagement and team building; and strengthening support for arts education in the schools.

Program objectives

The primary objective of Confluence Project in the Schools is to provide a bridge between the Confluence Project and the communities surrounding each of the seven project sites. Additional objectives include:

• Give support to teachers and students in participating schools by providing the artistic resources needed to complete each of the schools' public artwork projects.
• Present a Teacher Professional Development Institute led by Dr. Stephen Dow Beckham and Chief Cliff Snider.
• Design curriculum and performance-based assessment tools for an innovative national model that promotes interdisciplinary, standards-based learning.
• Conduct a final evaluative symposium that unites all 29 Confluence Project in the Schools participating schools at a gathering to view the students' artwork and document the process.
• Publish curriculum resources for nationwide dissemination (through a website, an interactive JourneyBook and a DVD/Video).