Art and music education is often considered an elective or an extracurricular for students in high school settings. For people with disabilities, however, it can be a vital tool for self-expression, communication and regulation. Music has an extraordinary ability to connect people across languages, cultures, and abilities. As we move towards more inclusive educational practices, educational arts experiences help us to bridge the gap for people with disabilities.
St. Francis’ ES111 experience with the ConocoPhillips Hub for Inspired Learning at Arts Commons has been just that –– a bridge for our students to experience arts in a way that is accessible to all of them. Our class has a variety of students with varying physical, medical, and intellectual disabilities but the one thing that binds us together is our love for beat, sound, music, creating, observing, and making a mess!!
Music is a non-verbal outlet for expression and enjoyment. Many people with disabilities, particularly those with autism, find it difficult to express themselves in traditional ways. Music provides an alternative mode of expression — whether singing, playing an instrument, or simply responding to rhythm and sound. It gives voice to those who may struggle with spoken language and enables individuals to communicate feelings that words cannot capture.
My class got to spend time with two amazing musical artists, each with their own unique talents and sounds. Eazy G and Timothonius invited students to engage in music creation and appreciation from different entry points. Whether it was creating a beatbox rhythm with our voices/recorded buttons, tapping out a beat on rhythm sticks, rocking back and forth in a wheelchair to the amazing sounds of the piano, vocalizing our own sounds or simply listening and smiling –– students were able to engage in ways that were comfortable and meaningful to them. This opportunity for music education, participation and exposure is not always offered in an accessible way to students with disabilities. This experience was, and you can see on students' faces how much joy they experienced through Easy G and Timothonius’ gift of music.
David M. from the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra offered a unique opportunity for our students to listen to, learn about and touch the cello. His warm, welcoming presence and openness to let students feel and try this instrument was genuine. Some students simply felt the vibrations of the instrument while others took turns playing the cello. The smooth sound motivated one student to self-propel her wheelchair (something she just started doing) closer so she could experience the sound fully –– fulfilling her sensory desire. Music is the doorway to so many experiences and perspectives. Students in my class would not have the opportunity to experience instruments and music in such a close, intimate way without this program at Arts Commons.
Art is a tool for expression! Many of our students face challenges with traditional forms of expression due to physical, cognitive or sensory barriers. With the support of our amazing artists Jennie, Mera, Karen, and Paula, students were invited to create with colour anywhere and in any way they wished. We experimented with brushes, rollers, hands, splatter, sponges, wheels, canvas, paper, walls, pastels, clothing, and more. They invited us to explore light and shadows through experimentation and storytelling. Students loved it!
Beyond creating art, we got to experience the beautiful rainbow hallway connecting Arts Commons to City Hall –– brimming with beautiful colours in the sunshine, an amazing sensory experience for all. City Hall offered some interesting sculptures, artifacts and spaces to observe. Many students have never been downtown, so visiting City Hall was an adventure on its own –– the glass elevators were mesmerizing! Art gallery walks along with "I Spy" activities were awesome ways to expend some energy as well as use our senses to explore outside of the school building in a way many have not been able to before!
Participating in art projects provides opportunities for students with disabilities to interact with peers in meaningful and inclusive ways. This fosters a sense of community and belonging, which is critical for social development. Art and music classrooms often celebrate individuality and creativity, creating an accepting environment where differences are valued. While at Arts Commons we created a beautiful set of paintings that are proudly displayed in a relaxation corner of our Learning Commons! They have become a talking point, and students have popped by the classroom to express how much they like these pieces and to congratulate our class for their creation.
The ConocoPhillips Hub for Inspired Learning program at Arts Commons and the arts education opportunities it provides not only allowed my students to experience the arts in accessible ways but also opened my mind to reflect on and plan how to include the arts in daily activities within the classroom. I have seen the power music/creating has to turn a student’s day around. Although my artistic and musical abilities are minimal, I can find interesting beats, songs, rhythms and artists my students respond to and connect to, providing them with a different means of self-expression, regulation and enjoyment. I can find ways to create collaborative art pieces with students from all over St. Francis, fostering inclusive spaces and a greater sense of community! Every student of every ability should be offered the opportunity to participate in arts education. It nurtures mind, body and spirit, and opens doors to communication and inclusion opportunities that are not easily accessed by people with disabilities.
Written by Raelene Bro, Educational Support 111 Teacher at St. Francis High School
The ConocoPhillips Hub for Inspired Learning is a Campus Calgary / Open Minds site.