ArtStarts Artist in the Classroom Program

Vancouver Island's own Vesta Entertainment teaching circus in the schools with the ArtStarts Artists In the Classroom grant program. More information about the AIC grant and the exciting school programs we offer is at Artstarts.com or Contact Us!
We've been featured on ShawTV show as well! Here is our 5 min segment talking about some of what we are teaching in the schools: The Science of Circus!

Current and Past Projects:

Yearly Summer Camps via Nanaimo Parks and Rec

Run away and join the Circus and still be home for dinner! These camps are perfect for the performer in your family. Children will learn to hoop it up, spin poi, staff, and juggle, all while having tremendous amounts of fun. Students come away from our camps feeling empowered and proud of themselves! Running for two weeks every summer with Nanaimo Parks and Recreation! 250-756-5200

Coal Tyee Elementary
Oct - Dec 2015

Karina and Jamie will once again be joining teacher Derek DeGear at Coal Tyee Elementary to teach circus and performance to the grade 3s. In addition, starting this year we will also be working with the grade 1s! Generously funded by the BC Arts Council and ArtStarts!

Dover Bay High School
Oct - Dec 2015

Jamie and Karina are  partnering with teacher Ward Norcutt to bring stilting and poi to the grade 9 drama class! We will be integrating the SPARK concepts from the Search Institute: positive mentorship, creative outlets, perseverance and encouragement, creating positive long term outcomes for youth. Generously funded by the BC Arts Council and ArtStarts!  

Central Middle School, Victoria
Oct - Dec 2015

Jamie is partnering with teacher Roger Duval to teach hooping and poi to the grade 8s in preparation for the big circus show in January! Generously funded by the BC Arts Council and ArtStarts!
CMS Update: Oct 18th 2015:
Hello Karina,
I am really happy with how Vesta is involved with the project. We are the beginning stage and I am finding that students want to explore a wide variety of props and get better very fast. Pois and Hoops are my weaker skills and it is most convenient to have your crew helping out. All the young 'artists' have been expose to a good base in pois and hoops, as well as how to prepare short presentations. Along the way, we have had to stop students a few times to make sure that group focus was a key element to prepare for a bigger show. The response was excellent; I have a few boys who may be challenged with attention and I believe that what we are doing is very beneficial for them. During the coming weeks (as of October 30), we may work with smaller groups (6-8) and focus on preparing a more advanced routine to be part of a larger show. Both groups can also work at developing 2-3 artistic acts (bouffons) similar to those with Cirque du Soleil. By the time Vesta comes back we will have groups already in place and it will be easier to focus on specific activities.
Thanks!
Roger Duval
Teacher, Central Middle School

Coal Tyee Elementary School

Sept- Dec 2014

Working with grade 2/3 split and grade 4's, we taught skills, choreography and created a positive school show!
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