E D U C A T I O N

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STORY

In 2011 S.M.A.R.T. was approached by Briscoe Elementary teacher, Sarah Christal. She asked if we would be willing to teach an art class to the students.  They did not have art in their school at the time - zero. We said we would, but that they had to come over to the S.M.A.R.T. campus to engage an authentic artistic experience. We began with one class and today S.M.A.R.T. now serves all grade levels pre-k through 5th. The Briscoe S.M.A.R.T. relationship is unprecedented and powerful.  It is the only public school in the State of Texas where children leave their campus during the school day to take art. 

In 2017 Briscoe was certified as an International Baccalaureate World School focused on world music and fine arts. 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Briscoe S.M.A.R.T. art partnership is the only one of it's kind in the San Antonio Independent School District.  S.M.A.R.T.S.'s TEKS and IB aligned art programming directly supports Briscoe Elementary's IB World School curriculum.  Through STEAM based art education S.M.A.R.T. introduces students to multiple art forms using a 4 step process. 

MISSION

To support the IB goals of Briscoe Elementary and create a foundation for creative expression through our 4 step art education curriculum: Tours, Studio classes, Presentation and Exhibition. 
 

INITIATIVES

​ABOUT beMOCA

Inspired by KSMoCA in Portland, Oregon, beMOCA is a contemporary art museum located inside of Briscoe Elementary School (PreK-5th) in San Antonio, Texas.  Founded January 2020, the Museum is an innovative collaboration that allows elementary students to partner with graduate art students and professional artists as they discuss, create and display contemporary art.​ Students learn through experience about museum practice and careers in the arts by participating as beMOCA’s artists, curators, and writers. beMOCA reenvisions the relationships between public schools, museums and universities and creates new perspectives and opportunities by overlapping resources and ideas across the San Antonio art community.

PROJECT GOAL

Our goal is to utilize the language of contemporary art and museum practice to inspire students to explore their artistic voice and make community connections. We want our students to understand the power of the artistic process from inception to its final destination in the museum. We seek to demonstrate the depth and richness of student experience when there is cross collaboration among institutions and community. 

beMOCA STUDIO

beMOCA studio launched January 14, 2020. This is where the students experiment,  write, fail, succeed, brainstorm, discuss and create. It is their laboratory. 

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 This year we launched S.M.A.R.T. spaces! For the 2021-22 school year we partnered select Briscoe students with Alamo Architects. Together we are designing and building 5 creative spaces on campus.  Follow progress on insta @smartsatx! 

ARTIST TALKS

Throughout the school year we bring in artists to meet in studio with our students. Our artist talk sessions provide critical access and opportunity to engage with professional artists. Our students LOVE this time spent with artists and the q & a sessions always prove to be vibrant, inquisitive, mind opening and full of story telling on both sides.