Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with Austin Independent School District for implementation of summer school arts and history learning activities to promote student academic progress and language acquisition. Funding: $1,700 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment for internal costs to provide program space and materials.
De
Lead Department
Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
For More Information:
Morgan Messick, Assistant Director, Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, 512-974-7873; Marjorie Flanagan, Division Manager, Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, 512-974-4001.
Additional Backup Information:
As stewards of Texas history and literature, the Brush Square Museums, home to the Susanna Dickinson Museum and the O. Henry Museum, seek to inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking through interactive learning experiences. This partnership between Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment and AISD will provide summer school students with immersive arts and history learning opportunities that promote academic progress and language acquisition.
Through this collaboration, students will explore the depth of Texas history and the transformative power of storytelling, nurturing a lifelong love of learning, personal expression, and cultural understanding.
Services provided by AISD
• Supervision of students during museum-based activities.
• Transportation of students to and from the designated school sites.
• Coordination of student registration.
• All services listed above will be provided at no cost to participating students.
Services provided by the City
• Museum programming will be led and facilitated by one to two Brush Square Museum staff members.
• All supplies and instructional materials required for the museum programs will be provided by the museum.
Program Contributions
• Cultural Engagement: Students will explore Texas history through the stories and legacies of early Texans like Susanna Dickinson. Interactive lessons and artifacts will make history tangible and relevant, fostering engagement, belonging, and a deeper understanding of local heritage.
• Language Development: Drawing inspiration from O. Henry's writings, students will study storytelling structure, plot, and character development. These exercises will strengthen language comprehension, creativity, and self-expression.
• Gross & Fine Motor Skill Development: Through hands-on activities, students will engage physically with learning materials, enhancing both coordination and retention of course content.
• Contextual Understanding: Students will gain experiential insight into historical, artistic, and social concepts, helping them connect abstract ideas to real-world contexts while advancing language and literary skills.