Getting Started – First Steps in Designing Your Event
For Educators and PTAs

This set of questions will help us find out more about your needs and your school.  You might be a teacher, a principal, or parent volunteer from the PTA.  Together, we’ll make sure that we develop performances, workshops, or a residency that are appropriate for your students and space.  You can answer these questions before getting in touch with us, or we can answer them together.

About Your School and Arts Programs
•    What types of arts events and programs has the school done over the past couple of years?
•    What grade are the students who you plan to serve with the performance or program?  How many students?  What are the students like?
•    Do you envision the event happening at your site or at Joe’s facility? What’s the space like where you plan to host the event, workshop or residency? 
•    Is there a particular timeframe?  What time do you want the event, workshop or residency to happen? 

Tailoring Your Event to Your Goals
•    Do you have specific goals for the performance, workshop, or residency?  Do these relate to the curriculum?  How might an artist help you achieve these goals?
•    Would the event be a performance, a workshop, or a residency?  (For example: One lecture-demonstration?  A performance at a student assembly?  A series of movement learning activities in the classroom as part of a unit?  A one-time drumming workshop?)
•    If the event is primarily a performance, should it be interactive, or not?  Would the performer(s) mingle with students and converse with the audience?  Or, would it primarily be a performance that students sit and watch?
•    Are you looking primarily for a workshop with an artist?  How frequently would the workshop happen? 
•    If you prefer a residency format, how frequently would the artist meet with students?  How far in advance can the artist meet with the teacher to plan to activities?
•    How does this time fit with other activities in the school?  (Lunch, field trips, etc.)
•    Are there any particular student needs that the artist(s) should know about?

Joe’s Artists: Who They Are and How to Select One
You might consider looking at the range of artists Joe’s works with, and the styles these artists represent.  If you’re unsure of which artist might be right for you, don’t worry!  We can help you identify the right artist for your event and venue.
•    Is there a particular style of dance or music that you’re looking for?  Is there a particular area of the world that you hope to represent with performing arts?
•    Are there important skills that the artist might need to work with your students?  Or, are there any particular characteristics you’re looking for in an artist you present/work with?

Gaining Buy-In
•    Are there staff at your school who are important to alert of the program?  Does a principal or administrator need materials to approve the event?  Does a principal have particular expectations for events or residencies with artists?
•    Are there grant opportunities that might help cover some of the costs for the program (such as the fee or artists’ transportation costs)?

Planning Specifics for Your Event
If you’re presenting a performance with the artist at your school:
•    Do you have equipment for the artists?  Or, should we bring it for the event?  Artists might need a microphone, a PA, or a projector.
•    Can Joe’s staff visit the site for the event in advance?
•    How early can the artists arrive to set-up?  Do you have a secure dressing space for the artist?

If you’re presenting a workshop or residency at your school:
•    How early should the artist(s) come prior to the first session?
•    Do you need to reserve a different space than the students’ typical classroom for the workshops?\

If you’re bringing students to Joe’s for programs:
•    What needs to be done to arrange for transportation of students to Joe’s facility?

For Events at Your School:
•    Can you provide specific driving directions to the venue for the artists?
•    Can you provide parking for the artists?  Is there a particular place where the artist should park?
•    Can someone greet the artist(s) when they arrive and direct them to the right location?
•    Can you provide water or juice for the artists?