Encouraging Student Engagement Through the Arts
The Arts in Education program supported the integration of arts and humanities into classroom instruction across Charlotte County Public Schools. Facilitated by the Arts & Humanities Council of Charlotte County, this program awarded grants to educators who developed culturally rich, creative learning experiences.
Over $143,000 in grant funding was awarded over the course of the program, reaching more than 52,600 students through a wide variety of projects. This support was made possible in part through funding from Florida’s specialty license plate program.
During its active years, Charlotte Arts also maintained an advocacy role by engaging in dialogue with the Charlotte County School Board and state representatives to promote the value of arts education.
Student Art Recognition
For a number of years, Charlotte Arts sponsored awards for the High School Art Show, which was held at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda. During this annual event, students from Charlotte High School, Port Charlotte High School, and Lemon Bay High School were recognized for their artistic accomplishments.
“When schools include art programs in the curriculum, children do better with math.”
— Kelly Borsheim
Highlighted Classroom Project
2019–2020: Port Charlotte High School
Instructor: Tiffiny Coffey
PCHS Fine Arts
AP Art And Photography
National Art Honor Society Advisor
In early 2020, AP Studio Art courses began a project exploring contemporary street art. They studied the work of Banksy and Shepard Fairey before learning to design and cut stencils using reductive techniques. Subsequently, they applied spray paint in layered compositions to produce original works.
Although the project was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, students made rapid progress during its initial phase.
“Students had an exceptional opportunity to express themselves… The project was just getting started when it was severed. Students made quick progress—but weren’t done! We look forward to expanding this in future units. Many thanks to Charlotte Arts for the grant.”
— Tiffiny Coffey, Port Charlotte High School
Grant Participation Overview
Note: The following grants span academic years 2016 through 2022. Some projects were completed in the following school year due to pandemic-related delays.
2019–2020 Highlights
In this year, grants directly supported nearly 4,000 students, while an additional 5,000 students benefited indirectly. Funded projects included the following:
- Creative Expression for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities, Charlotte Harbor School
- Readers of the Arts Take 2!, Myakka River Elementary
- STEAM Family Night Fun!, Myakka River Elementary
- Study Tour of Stained Glass and Restoration, Port Charlotte High School
- Self Portrait Stencils, Port Charlotte High School
- Stairwell Murals, Peace River Elementary
2018–2019 Highlights
During this cycle, more than 3,600 students participated in arts-focused activities. Notable examples include:
- Clay Texture Turtles, Meadow Park Elementary
- Veterans Day Celebration, Liberty Elementary
- Ozobot Evo Robotic Creative Arts Maze, Sallie Jones Elementary
- Terrier Thespian Productions, Port Charlotte Middle School
- Words and Pictures: Connecting to Text through Visual Art, Murdock Middle School
2017–2018 Highlights
Grants during this year reached over 8,300 students. Key projects featured:
- Math and Art Make the World Go Around!, Murdock Middle School
- Sculptures of a Human Head, Port Charlotte High School
- STEAM Family Night, Myakka River Elementary
- Micropipette Art, Lemon Bay High School
- Can You Spot the Leopard? African Masks, Meadow Park Elementary
2016–2017 Highlights
Grants awarded in this year supported programs in multiple elementary, middle, and high schools. Among the funded initiatives:
- Camera Obscura Classroom, Port Charlotte High School
- Greek Art is Symmetrical, Peace River Elementary
- Chihuly Legacy Project, Meadow Park Elementary
- STEAM Plants a Folk Art Garden, Port Charlotte Middle School
- Through a Florida Native American’s Eyes, East Elementary School
Continued Engagement from Educators
Throughout the years covered, Charlotte Arts partnered with a wide range of educators who implemented arts-integrated programs across disciplines. While several projects were delayed or adjusted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many continued with adaptations that allowed for student participation.
