Inspiring young minds to aspire in co-creating a better world
Serving the Spirt of a
Creative Community
Enriching Education through the Arts.
Entire School Performance of Whispering Spring k- 6th grade.
Stars in My Backyard Musical at Portland Elementary.
Enriching Education through the Arts.
Empowering life with the Arts and enriching the IM in Imagination with fun and hands-on workshops.
Laura Botsford
Laura Botsford Artist in Education with the Arkansas Arts Council. Creator of published books and plays with and for children.
Her mellifluous approach to teaching theater craft and literature is infused with well-being and moral lessons. She is also available for speaking engagements and Arts in Educational workshops for teachers, Parent Teacher organizations, and Administrators in the Art of Writing with Children. "This is a fantastic concept - having children create their own books within a structured program that, nevertheless, permits them to utilize every aspect of their imagination and then experience the great satisfaction of seeing their creations materialize to be shared by others.
- Lois Duncan, Author
The collective consciousness in a workshop is a playable presence. Any teacher will tell you that each class is uniquely different. It is important to tailor each of the workshops to the needs of each student and the class as a whole. It is important to me to engage students that may be shy, handicapable, or have learning disabilities.
I am trained in teaching children that are learning challenged, hearing impaired, and autistic.
I also am at your service for speaking at administrative and teacher workshops to assist in generating creative enhancement within your curriculum.
united imaginations workshops
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Book Writing and Illustration
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Calendar Art
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Poetry Books
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Acting and Theater Production
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Community Radio Show
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Drawing and Painting
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Mask Making
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Arts and Crafts mixed media
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Guitar
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Voice
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Beginner Piano
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Speaking Engagements and Workshops for staff and groups
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Writing with Children - PUBLISHING
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Creativity in the Classroom - Round Table and Hands-on Activities
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Behavioral Workshops
Projects
Inspiration & Beyond
Writing with Children
The workshop is integrated into their class or Library time with the participation of the teacher. Each child collaborates in a group to write and illustrates their own chapter for the published book.
Original Play Production
- Elementary and Middle school
Hands-on Workshops in Producing a Play with a step-by-step process that students and faculty participate in school or an after-school or summer program. This workshop integrates curriculum and the emersion of music and art classes in the making of an original play or musical.
Full Musical Production
Original Plays for your school or center that is co-written by your own students is a terrific engagement in the spirit of co-creating and teamwork. They will learn how to act, stage presence, and production. Teachers can utilize this class for incorporating their curriculum within the play. Art and Music is also a feature of this workshop. For more information please contact us for all the details to create your own original production in the theater arts.
My Backyard Song Performances
Books that are written by children
Laura Botsford's Books For Children
A B C colorful clever book of quaint sayings to help teach your child the bits and bobs of being a unique person. Loved and cherished for each precious part of their shining personality with delightful quips and quotes that also teach them about animals. 1-4 ages
Berrie, Foxster, and Quinn are three friends who open their Shanty Studio on Huge Lake and do some fine fishing too. They practice the 3 C's in an adventure of compassion, crafting, and camping when they are caught in snafu. A teaching tale of buddies in business. 4 - 10 ages
All the love and excitement of a newborn baby girl comes alive as Mama Bee reads to her daughter how she was meant to be. It is vibrantly illustrated with a keepsake picture page for one's own sweet bee. infant to 4 years of age
Lois Duncan - Author
"This is a fantastic concept, having children create their own books within a structured program that, nevertheless, permits them to utilize every aspect of their imagination and then experience the great satisfaction of seeing their creations materialize to be shared by others."
"Hi Laura: Thank you for such a wonderful note! I've sent Portland Power Tales out to the entire studio to enjoy.
Hope everyone has a safe and productive New Year!"
Thanks again.
- Linda Zazza
Director of Facilities
Blue Sky Studios, Inc.
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Secret Garden
"We enjoyed listening to the children sing the lovely lyrics you wrote to our song, Frozen in Time"
Fionnuala and Rolf
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Available Grants
Writing with Children
two-hour session $200.00
includes activity supplies
Plus travel expenses and lodging if outside Central Arkansas
AIE After School and Summer Residencies
These mini-grants help fund placing professional artists in residencies outside the school environment, school day, or school year. The settings include after-school and summer programs and can be located in community centers, low-income housing projects, juvenile facilities, social service centers, parks and recreation programs, boys and girls clubs, and other community-based or governmental organizations and institutions.
The grant is available as a matching grant of up to $10,000. Contact the Arts in Education Program manager for more information.
Arts for Life-Long Learning Mini-Grants
The Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants program enriches the lives of adults of all experience levels and abilities through quality arts learning experiences. This program provides funding for eligible institutions that wish to host a short-term (up to 10 days) residency program with professional artists who are listed on the Arts in Education Artist Roster Programs and have hands-on art activities for adult populations in community-based or governmental organizations and institutions. An in-service workshop may also be included in the mini-residency program. Grants are available up to $1,000 and require matching funding. Mini-grants are awarded until the funding runs out. Contact the Arts in Education Program manager for more information.
AIE in-School Residency
The Arts in Education In-School Residency program places professional artists during the school day or school year in residencies at specific school sites or in conjunction with other nonprofit community or governmental organizations and institutions. The program provides a way for artists to demonstrate their art form, and create or perform works of art so that participants may observe the creative process and relate their art form to other K-12 curriculum areas. The program is designed to strengthen the role of the arts in education with the understanding that the development of aesthetic awareness and participation in the arts should be an integral part of life, and the basic education process. These residencies may last from 10 days to the entire school year. Grant award payments, of up to $40,000, are scheduled to accommodate the grantee’s program requirements to the extent possible. This grant requires matching funds. Contact the Arts in Education Program manager for more information.
Arts in Education Program Manager