Summer Institute 2013
July 15-18, 2013
Registration Fee: $575
Program Overview
The 1st Annual VTS Summer Institute – hosted by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – will convene developing and veteran VTS practitioners from around the country and abroad to learn from and contribute to a growing VTS community of practice.
In addition to intensive classroom and gallery sessions focused on VTS facilitation and training methods & content, this event will provide time and space for presentations and conversations to take place on a range of VTS-related issues and practices. The first in what we hope to become an annual forum for VTS practitioners to learn, share, and advance the ‘state of the art’ in VTS practice, this inaugural VTS Summer Institute promises to be an event you do not want to miss.
Program Topics & Objectives
This 1st Annual VTS Summer Institute offers two participant tracks: Advanced Practicum and Trainer Training.
Advanced Practicum – designed for those who have attended a VTS Beginner Practicum or VTS School Program. Participants will:
- Develop and practice advanced VTS facilitation techniques
- Develop understanding of aesthetic development and critical thinking to better support learners
- Address problems, questions, insights developed since initial VTS training and practice
Trainer Training – designed for those who currently, or would like to, train others in VTS facilitation. Participants will:
- Understand the current model and practices for the VTS Core School Program
- Learn VTS Training methods for implementing the VTS Core School Program Model, including:
- Modeling and deconstructing VTS facilitation methods
- Group Coaching and 1-on-1 coaching /feedback methods
- Discussion video and writing sample analysis methods
- Modeling and deconstructing VTS facilitation methods
The Summer Institute will also create space for topical panels and conversations. Probable topics include:
- Teachers & the Common Core State Standards
- VTS & Early Childhood Education
- The state VTS program models and approaches for early childhood, elementary, and middle schools.
- Participant led sessions and presentations (TBD based on participant proposals)
Program Schedule
Official activities begin at 12pm on Monday and conclude at 5pm on Thursday. Friday, we will offer an optional post-conference half day.
Monday: Opening with "The State of VTS" and keynote presentation by VTS Co-Founder Philip Yenawine. To watch Philip give a keynote in Amsterdam, click here.
Tuesday - Thursday: Advanced Practicum and Trainer Training classroom sessions will run concurrently with both groups, integrating for gallery sessions at both the ISGM and MFA.
Friday: Optional, post-conference half-day. "Introducing VTS Certification" session will introduce plans for certifying VTS Facilitators and Associate School Trainers, and allow all participants a chance to ask questions and provide feedback.
To view a complete schedule, click here.Who Should Attend
Advanced Practicum - the VTS Advanced Practicum is designed for anyone who has attended a VTS Beginner Practicum or the VTS School Program. Participants will be asked to submit a video of them leading a VTS discussion and demonstrate that they have lead at least 10 VTS lessons or hours in a classroom or museum.
Trainer Training - this all-new format will welcome anyone who has attended one of our 4-day Trainer Training, Professional Development Institutes, or School Trainer Institutes over the last 6 years. Sessions are designed for participants to develop the skills and understanding necessary for effectively implementing the VTS Core School Program model.
Trainers/Presenters
This event will be co-led by VTS program staff, including Yoon Kang-O’Higgins, Amy Chase Gulden, Liz Harvey, Sarah O’Leary, Kim Aziz, Robyn Muscardini, Gretchen Baudenbacher, and Nick Gardner.
Panels and presentations led by outside experts and event participants will take place during lunch and afternoon sessions. Panelists and topics will be finalized and announced by May 1.
Applications/Registration
Please complete our online application. Once you have completed the application and it has been reviewed, someone from VTS will be in touch within 10 business days. If you have any questions or concerns please email Erica Sera. Once your application has been approved you will receive information regarding payment processing.
Fees
Cost of attendance is $575. This includes access to all sessions as well as light breakfast, lunch and snacks Tuesday-Thursday.
Accommodations
VTS will likely reserve a block of rooms for participants at a nearby university. The cost of these rooms ($80-$90) is significantly less expensive than most local hotels. If you are interested in securing low-cost student housing through VTS please indicate so on your Summer Institute Application Form.
With support from:
Lambent Foundation Fund of the Tides Foundation
