National Specials

The year began with the conclusion of one major national production and the start of another, both with special educational components for students and teachers.

Thomas Eakins: Scenes from Modern Life was a widely viewed look at the life and work of the 19th-century Philadelphia artist. The final component of the high-definition television production was an online teacher’s resource guide keyed to a DVD of the program. Lesson plans were designed for grade levels nine through 12, and covered Social Studies, History, Art History, Language Arts, Studio Art, Technology, and American History. They are available free to teachers everywhere.

Another project with a significant educational component is Denyce Graves: Breaking the Rules. This jazz, gospel and classical music concert, staged and recorded by WHYY in June at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, is scheduled for national broadcast in March 2004. Teachers in the School District of Philadelphia used WHYY-produced lesson plans in the weeks before the concert and hundreds of students attended a free dress rehearsal, getting lessons in music as well as television production. Teachers nationwide this spring will have access to those lesson plans on the Internet, just in time for the broadcast.

Eakins and Graves. Fine art and spectacular music. Both share WHYY’s commitment to education and entertainment and to seeking out the best there is in arts and culture and sharing it locally and nationally, to distributing programs in multi-media packages that can capture the imagination, and provide all with a front row seat to excellence.

Opera star Denyce Graves with students from Philadelphia's John Wanamaker Middle School.

More WHYY Arts