Inquiry Project: Data Collection

Main Question: Is there a relationship between the community, art, and the public schools?

Sub-Questions:
-Do the arts play an important role in education?
-Is art integrated into classroom curriculum? How?
-How are the arts related to the community?
-What are the forms of Pop Art (popular art, art for the people) in the community?

Data Collection:

Map/Description of the city
-Walk/drive around the ten-block radius in Newark: (www.googlemaps.com)
-Observation: Field notes and photography

-10 blocks include: Carter Hwy (runs along the Passaic River), Central Ave, Martin Luther King Blvd, Mercer St., Market St., Broad St.

-10 sites include: Arts High School, Newark Public School, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Rutgers State University Art and Design Program, North Star Academy Charter School of Newark, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Newark Museum, Seed Gallary, Central Business District, Passaic River.

-Walking tour of the sites including field notes, photography, collecting physical data (i.e. pamphlets, flyers, brochures, visiting websites online), and interview questions (if possible).

Research questions to be answered:
-Are youth’s involved in these sites?
-What kind of art do these sites support?
-What kind of art is on the street? (i.e. graffiti, music, formal sculptures)
-Are youth participating in art activity on the street?

Semi-formal interviews with community members (Audio recorded):
-Is art an important part of the community? The culture?
-What is your opinion of public art in the area?
-In your opinion, is there a connection between art, education, and public art in the community?
-Is there anything else you want to add regarding community art or education?

Geographical information: http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/new-jersey/newark
-History and Culture of Newark
-Area Demographics and population statistics

Newark Public Schools:
-District information http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/districtinformation.html
-History of the Newark Public Schools
-Mission Statement
-General information http://www.answers.com/topic/newark-public-schools

-Newark Public School, Located on 2 Cedar St. #1

-Arts High School, located on 550 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
-Website: http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/arts/default.htm (Includes school history and profile)

Data collection methods:
-Walking tour of the schools
-Observation: Field notes and photography
-Semi-formal interviews(audio recorded)

Teacher/Faculty interview questions:
-What art are students making? Is there a common theme?
-What involves classroom curriculum in general?
-In your opinion, what do the arts bring to student learning and development?
-Can you give me an example of a lesson that integrates the arts with classroom curriculum that you or another faculty member has used?
-Do you see a relationship between student artwork and public art in the community?
-What is special or different about the Arts High School compared to the neighboring public school(s)?

Student interview questions:
-What are you making in art class?
-Do you enjoy art?
-Do you see art in public? (i.e. graffiti, music, dance, sculpture, painting)

-Local News in Newark involving the arts, community, and education that may affect the ten-block radius in the city.