—JULY 1984—
"Arts in the Park" Month

By Sandra Young

Based on the successes of the July 1983 participation, the "Arts in the Park" Month subcommittee of the IPRA Public Awareness Committee has set goals to reach even more park districts in the 1984 promotion. The promotional scope is on a statewide basis and the committee is confident that quality art experiences can benefit the recreational programs of all those who participate.

The intent of "Arts in the Park" Month is to provide these art experiences in conjunction with existing summer programs. Summer was chosen as the season to implement this event because this is the time that park districts serve their largest captive audiences. Activities and announcements at day camps, pools, softball games and concert series are prime program events to coordinate with "Arts in the Park" Month where a large positive response can be gained.

New this year is a campaign in which IPRA members can order promotional materials through the committee. These may include "Arts in the Park" Month buttons, balloons and art work to clip out for flyers and brochures.

The committee encourages all members to start thinking about what types of activities would best benefit their summer programs. Here are several suggestions:

Rotating Camp Art Specialist

Hire a camp leader who has a strong background in art, such as drawing and painting, sculpture, theatre or dance. This person can spend time at each camp site leading art activities.

4th of July

Give it the "Arts in the Park" theme, featuring performances from your dance and/theatre classes, or contract a professional group.

Workshops

Hold existing children and adult art and craft workshops outside. Give it an "Arts in the Park" Month theme.

Painted Faces

Paint the faces of class participants and day campers to look like mime artists.

Field Trip

Run a camp trip or family trip to a cultural event, like Marriotts Children Theatre, Art Institute or Frank Lloyd Wright's home.

Art Exhibit

Ask a local artist to exhibit his works, along with pieces from art classes at a park district facility.

Concert Series Announcements

Announce at your concerts that July is "Arts in the Park" Month, give a brief explanation and post a sign or banner.

Banner Bazaar

Day camps or art classes design a banner to be displayed at a park district facility.

Soccer Painting

Have soccer participants paint watercolor on the soccer balls for one game. Post a sign stating "Arts in the Park" Month.

Softball and Music Go-Togethers

At a softball tournament have an easy listening rock band or a barber shop quartet perform, hang the sign "Arts in the Park" Month on the backstop or accompany the umpire with a mime artist.

Name Tags

Have all recreation, park, day camp, and aquatic staff and instructors wear name tags or buttons that say — HAVE A FUN "ARTS IN THE PARK" MONTH.

Therapeutic Painting

Paint a mural using texture to designate color areas for the blind.

Pool Chalk Drawing Contest

Use the guards as judges as participants draw inside a given space.

Park Sculpture

Build a sculpture in the park with wood scraps. Have participants "build on" to it.

These are just a few of the many ideas for "Arts in the Park" Month.

(Continued on p. 20)

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 March/April 1984

These suggestions apply to all areas of park districts programming, not exclusively to the arts. Keep in mind that these activities, as well as any others, should be well thought out and include the input of a qualified artist.

"Arts in the Park" Month is being funded by donations from the IPRA Recreation Programming Section and IPRA affiliates. For further information or detailed ideas, contact: Patty Johnson, Woodridge Park District, 985-0300 or Dee Flood, Palatine Park District, 991-0333.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 20 March/April 1984