F.A.Q.s
1. Who are you?
OmniArts in Education is a non-profit arts and cultural education organization. We are based in the Detroit, Michigan area, designated as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS.
2. What does OmniArts do?
OmniArts provides educational experiences and services mostly for children (primarily in schools) in 4 different arts areas: Dance, Music / Jazz, Theater, Visual Art.
We make it easy, convenient and efficient to bring the excitement of a variety of good professional, multi-cultural Fine Arts performers (performing and visual artists) / programs to schools and other sites.
3. What do you offer?
OmniArts offers 3 types of programs within the 4 arts areas. Schools / sites / clients may take advantage of just 1 or 2 or all 3. (Other programs, workshops, etc. can also be arranged.)
*Arts Performances that are educational and culturally diverse and generally for larger groups. Our Dance, Music, Theater and Visual Art presentations are great curriculum enhancements / supplements for students in preschool through high school.
*Residencies: Specific instruction in Dance, Art, Music, or Theater by performers experienced in teaching the arts. Smaller groups of Elementary and Middle School students learn to develop their talents, receiving regular help and encouragement.
*Writing Programs that focus on writing skills, vocabulary and language development. Performer-teachers use elements from their artistic field as a springboard for helping children in their classrooms improve their abilities in written expression.
There are menus for each type of program.
4. Could you describe the OmniArts Menu for Performances / Arts Presentations?
Our Arts Presentation Menu is a 4-page list of programs organized by arts area.
Three areas are further categorized. Appropriate grade levels are designated. (It is easy to see the wide number of choices in each arts area.)
The Dance page shows these types of Dance (number of selections is in parentheses): Ethnic (11), Modern (4), Ballet (2), Variety (4)
The Music / Jazz page shows these types of Music (no. of selections in parentheses): Instrumental: Strings (6), Woodwinds/Brass (7), Percussion/Keyboard (3), Ethnic (5)
Vocal: (12) Jazz (7)
The Theater page shows these types of Theater (no. of selections in parentheses):
Actors, Musical Theater Performers (5), Storytellers (6), Magicians (2), Puppeteers/Ventriloquist (7), Mime/Clowns (2), Theatrics (11)
The Visual Art page shows 13 selections.
5. OK, how about the Residency and Classroom Writing Menus?
The 2-page Residency Menu explains some details with regard to residencies. There are also specific descriptions of some residency programs according to arts area: Dance, Visual Art, Music, and Theater.
The 2-page Writing Menu lists the different programs available according to area (Music, Theater, Dance, and Visual Art). There is a description of the program in general and each individual program as well.
6. Who can participate in OmniArts?
OmniArts serves many types of schools; public, private, charter, faith-based. We serve anyone from Head Start and preschool up to and including nursing homes. Any person or organization looking for arts programs may call or email us. In the past, we have especially served students from low to moderate income families.
7. Why do I even need arts programs?
Arts are an important part of life and of all cultures. Many schools have had to eliminate art and music classes from their curriculum due to budget cuts. So students have fewer opportunities to become educated in or exposed to the arts. Some children will never have a chance to see arts programs and to see if the arts are something they want to know more about unless schools bring in arts programs.
Arts education ultimately influences the future work force while enhancing the present quality of life. Numerous studies substantiate the advantages of education in the arts.
8. Why shouldn’t I just take the students on field trips to see arts programs?
Certainly, OmniArts should not replace introducing students to a performance in a large arts venue such as a city’s famous theater. However, it’s becoming more difficult to have field trips like this. Getting permission slips, collecting money for the program and buses, making arrangements for buses, finding volunteers / chaperones to help, etc. can be a burden for already overworked school personnel. With added pressures on schools to show via test scores that students are learning, it’s hard to justify taking the students out of school for numerous trips, no matter how worthwhile they are.
9. Why should I pay for OmniArts when some companies will do a program for free?
School personnel have told us that these programs do come with a price or a hidden cost. Often, schools need to buy x amount of materials in exchange for the program, or the students have to listen to a spiel to buy something the company is selling.
10. How long is a typical arts presentation?
A single performance lasts about 1 hour, especially for older students. Two back-to-back performances are 40-45 minutes each. (Three presentations are normally 35 min. each.)
Programs for younger or Special Needs children may need to be shorter than these times.
Performances take place within a half-day, either Morning or Afternoon (even after school).
11. When are OmniArts residencies available?
Residencies may be scheduled during school hours and / or after school. Actually, they are a perfect complement to an after-school program.
12. What are the benefits of having OmniArts programs?
There are many benefits to having OmniArts work with you. To name several:
a. You receive personal service with the programs. OmniArts staff meets with school staff to assist you in choosing programs that best meet the needs of your students. And the personal service extends throughout the year.
b. It saves you time. Once you choose the dates you want, OmniArts makes the calls and arrangements with all the performers and sends you confirmation before each program.
c. It saves you effort. You can have maximum programs for minimum effort. You can easily have 3-18 different arts programs in your school or at your site during the year.
d. You receive educational materials from OmniArts for teachers to use with the students to accompany each program you choose. There’s also an educational component to the OmniArts programs themselves.
e. You have many choices – over 100 programs in 4 different arts areas.
f. You can relax, knowing that the OmniArts performers have met our standards and are good, experienced and love our audiences. These professionals provide excellent programs that include their passion for their Art and related educational information.
g. Scheduling is easy. OmniArts staff will help you decide your program times, taking into account beginning and dismissal times and lunch hours of your own school day.
h. Students and teachers lose little time away from other academic subjects.
13. Our school / site doesn’t have an auditorium. Can we still have OmniArts programs?
YES! Our dancers, musicians, artists and theater people have all performed in gyms, libraries, cafeterias and even hallways!
14. How much does it cost?
Schools often use Title I, 31A or special school funds to pay for programs. There is no one, set price for OmniArts’ services. Cost is dependent on various factors, which schools / sites control, including:
* Programs selected - Those with 1 or 2 performers are less expensive than those
with 5 - 7 performers.
* Scheduled number of shows / day - Many schools need only 1 presentation per day. Others need 2 or 3 per half-day because of the size of both the student body and the school performance space.
* Scheduled number of days - A few schools only want 3 days while others opt for nearly 16 arts presentations for the year and may also want residencies and writing programs.
Schools/ sites determine what they wish to / can allot, based on their budget limitations. The majority of schools request 2 performances per half day so that all the students can experience the programs selected, with one performance for younger children and another for the older ones.
In 2007-08, programs begin at $350 for 1 performance and $470 total for 2 separate performances during a half-day. The cost for both Residencies and Writing Programs start at $70 / hr.
15. How do I get started with OmniArts?
Call us at (248) 223-9552 or email us. Our staff will help you plan, meeting with you to assist in selecting performers and dates that fit into your school calendar.
16. Is there anything you can send me?
We have brochures and hard copies of all menus, which we can mail or fax. We also have back copies of our newsletters.
17. How do I get on the mailing list?
Call us at (248) 223-9552 or email us [OArtsEd@aol.com] with your mailing address and we’d be happy to see that you receive any materials you may find helpful and that you could share with others.
18. I’m a performer (or know someone who is). Will you hire me?
We are always happy to add new talent to our menus. Contact us for the steps necessary to become part of our roster.
19. I like the work you are doing and would like to support you. How do I help?
We can always use volunteers, either in the office or on our Board of Directors. Call us at (248) 223-9552 or email us OArtsEd@aol.com. There are many opportunities to serve.
20. What is your mission?
The mission of OmniArts in Education is to promote a positive future for children through Performing and Visual Arts experiences that support and enhance their cognitive, emotional, cultural and social development.
21. Your mission, reaching children with the arts, is an important one. How do I make a contribution?
OmniArts in Education, Inc. is a tax-exempt organization, recognized as a 501(c) (3), so donations and contributions are tax-deductible. You may mail a check to
20411 W. 12 Mile, Ste. 104, Southfield, MI 48076.
22. How do I make comments and suggestions?
Call us at (248) 223-9552 or email us: OArtsEd@aol.com.