Letter from Montana Office of Public Instruction

December 27, 2012

Letter of recommendation for MAPS’ application:

The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) is delighted to write in support of the Media Arts in the Public Schools (MAPS) application for the 2013 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards.

MAPS has certainly become a model of an arts‐driven education program in Montana. It has taken a regional approach in a state with the challenges of spreading limited resources to rural locales. MAPS also has successfully developed a program that not only focuses on the media arts but is known for promoting leadership skills, self‐confidence, and strong peer relations among its students.

In a content area that is founded in the basic skills of writing and design, but enhanced with ever changing technology in animation, video and music MAPS has evolved into a program that takes an underserved student population and develops them into remarkable young media artists. MAPS has nurtured meaningful partnerships with national media outlets and statewide broadcasters. The leadership of the program has worked tirelessly to provide great exposure for the work of its students.

The OPI believes that the MAPS program and its instructors are worthy of your sincere consideration. The remarkable level of creativity, teaching, and collaboration that is the core of MAPS is an example for all arts programs in Montana public schools.

Respectfully,

Dennis J. Parman
Deputy Superintendent