Question:
I have a limited budget for my supplies and I’m trying to find/supplement what I absolutely have to buy by finding free materials.
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Not to intrude on your curriculum but perhaps you should start the class out by making paper. Its a relative easy, although beit messy process which can yield free high quality paper to the students throughout the year. Plant materials are generally free, and the other materials can be purchased cheap or free. Students will also have a blast trying to figure out which plant materials will yield the best results, and if done properly in some cases the paper itself is a piece of art in itself.
Ars Gratia Artis.
You need only a perspective to teach Art.
Naw, really, Papier Mache with balloons (or wig heads for portraits), Library paste, and Newspaper. Sounds kinda 3rd grade, but you may be surprised.
“Art Is what Art Does”
-Marcel DuChamp
Several years ago I was faced with the same problem. My solution kept the kids busy for weeks and they had a great time doing something different and new. Then they all went home with projects that they were proud of. It surpassed my wildest expectations.
I had the kids do a wood print block exercise.
First the kids gathered scrap lumber from the shop class or wherever they could get it. We already had linoleum cutting tools and X-acto knives. Then they produced a sketch that was transferred to the wood block. Wood was then removed with the tools to leave a print surface. I then had them wet paper (regular typing paper) and use a brayer to make an embossing. Then they inked the block and made a print. They actually made several prints and turned in a good one. And finally I had them do a rubbing of the block.
For their grade they turned the original sketch, an embossing, a print, and a rubbing. The block that they had spent the most time on I ignored to help emphasize that the end result was the important part of the assignment. The kids made prints for themselves but got the most thrill out of the blocks that they got to take home and show off. Remember that prints come off in reverse and have fun.
http://www.artelino.com/articles/woodblock-print-iro-han.asp
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~xs3d-bull/how-to/mainichi_series_1.html
I’m willing to bet the football team has plenty of bucks.
I would teach it real world. and have the students cover the basics for what they need. There are a few reasons for this. One you wouldn’t have to go to the board and beg and plead. It will teach the students that they have to be responsible and get what they need if they really want to be there. Two, you can allow the students more room to express themselves because they are using their own stuff and if anything that might be deemed questionable comes up nothing can be said about using school property. (Went through that one personally!)
Another reason is the students can get the supplies they like and feel comfortable using.
This all wouldn’t fall on the heads of the kids though. Sure it may be their money but if you were to consider this you should do they leg work for them. Find out who has what in your area and talk to who-ever is in charge about a possible student discount. Anything would be a help.
Also it will weed out those that want to be there and those that think they’ll get an easy grade. If they have to get their own stuff they’ll think twice about the class.
I know this may seem a bit out there but if you think about it you pay for materials out of school and if any of them want to continue an art education after high school they’ll pay for them then too.
I was lucky enough to have an art dept. at my high school that rocked and it’s sad to see art being treated so poorly in todays schools. Believe me, I found out my art departments budget has been cut as well and it was a great department at one time.
I’m not saying this is “The” solution but it is a possibilty. I know the parents will scream and yell but it will also teach the students creative problem solving and working a buget. (Example: I have X amount of dollars to complete this project how and what can I use to achieve it?)
Maybe I’m talking out my ass but I really do think this would work in the long run. Let’s face it, it doesn’t look like the arts are doing well and if you want to teach art, (Really teach!) then the stuff has to come from somewhere. Who knows, if the department can become succesfull this way the school board may rethink their budget. (Then again, probably not.)
Our local newspaper discards end rolls of newprint. There’s usually a hefty amount of paper left on each roll, and they’re free to anyone who wants to pull them out of the dumpster. You can cut or tear off as much as much as you need. Call your papers and ask.
I think Dick Blick used to discount art supplies to classrooms as well. dickblick.com
Liquitex.com has a program for art supplies for your class, you just have to send them a proposal.
My friend has an art gallery in Summer Ville Texas. ( a small rural town two hours from Houston)The new art teacher had no supplies and no money for any. She started a fund raiser with the Houston Water color society, got a lot of women involved and ended up raising over $3000.
She held an art contest for the kids to.
I would go to the local paint stores like Jerry’s Artaroma and see if they have materials to donate and to get a professional discount for anything you do buy.
Basically ask the artists in your community to help. Invite guest speakers in to do a show and tell. See if you can collect old art supplies from art groups. I know that as an artist I am always buying stuff and trying new things, and once a year cull out my studio of things I now longer want.