Kalpulli Ketzal Coatlicue

 

 EAGAN, Minn -- In the world of performing arts, it is tough to top the artistry, passion and cultural storytelling of the Ketzal Coatlique Aztec Dance Troupe.

We were treated to their spirited performance on a late summer day under a canopy of trees at Caponi Art Park. The Twin Cities based dance troupe was there to help with the unofficial kick off for Arts in Education Week.

COMPAS, a statewide community arts organization, focuses on exposing young people to a variety of the arts is sponsoring an array of events over the week long celebration.

Daniel Gabriel, Compas Director of Arts Education, observed, "We know for a fact that it engages them in the excitement of learning. Many students today aren't that excited to learn, and this helps get them interested."

Lourdes Ochoa Morales, who is both a performer in the Ketzal Dance Troupe and the mother of four children who are also in the group, couldn't agree more. She told us, "I feel great with my kids, there's something very good about sharing our culture with other people, it helps us understand each other."

Arts in education refers to an array of art forms: dance, music, theater, drawing, painting, literature, media arts, sculpture, and the spoken word.

The Ketzal Coatlicue Aztec Dance Troupe goes into schools, they help students learn symbols of the meso-american calendar, experience the rhythms of an ancient people and help them to begin to understand the connections between ritual and daily life. This, in turn, helps students understand a culture they may or may not be too familiar with and makes the art and culture more accessible to them.

In recognition of all the benefits the arts give students, both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed resolutions calling September 12 - 18 the first ever National Arts in Education Week.

COMPAS is celebrating National Arts in Education Week with a contest. Giving away a week-long arts residency, free of charge. Any Minnesota K-12 teacher who is working in a public, private or charter school can enter. The prize includes a week-long arts residency for up to 4 classrooms of the same grade level. COMPAS will work with the winning teacher to select an appropriate art form for their residency.

Entries are being accepted for the entire month of September.
COMPAS will select the winner in a random drawing from all entries received by September 30. Details can be found on their website: www.compas.org.