Ovation TV Launching Arts Education Initiative

Curriculum in tandem with Cable in the Classroom and NYC Dept. of Education

By David Tanklefsky -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/27/2010 11:44:52 AM

Ovation TV, along with Cable in the Classroom and the New York City Department of Education's Office of Arts and Special Projects is launching a national arts education initiative, the channel announced Wednesday (Jan. 27).

The network has engaged New York City art teachers in developing lessons and selecting programming clips from Ovation TV documentaries.  They've also produced and aired a PSA about Cable in the Classroom's mission of fostering cable content and technology to enhance student learning.

Ovation's initial curriculum units focus on the works of Jackson Pollock, Daniel Libeskind and Robert Rauschenberg.  The curriculum was introduced to visual arts students in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island.  Teachers reported that students learned to create and paint using the styles and techniques of those masters.  The project will serve as the cornerstone of Ovation's free web-based education initiative.

"Advocating the importance of the arts in the education of our youth is a critical part of Ovation TV's mission," said Ovation TV CEO Charles Segars.  "This new arts education program not only represents a key element of our ongoing commitment, but also complements Cable in the Classroom's expanded broadband initiative by being digitally accessible to educators."