The
Michigan Wolf Trap Program is a partnership between The Wolf Trap Institute for Early
Learning through the Arts began in 1981 as a 501 (c)(3)
nonprofit education program, under a grant from the Head
Start Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The program employs professional artists with extensive
experience and expertise in working with young children to
provide the following services to participating early
childhood education programs: Seven and one week
residency programs Teacher training
workshops Parent involvement
activities The Wolf Trap Model was developed in
the Washington, D.C. area from 1981-1984, and was later
refined in satellite programs in Arizona, California,
Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee. Each
program is self-supporting and is funded through support
from foundations, corporations, contracts with Head Start
Programs, school systems, community action programs and
state arts councils. In June 1987, the Wolf Trap Institute
received funding from Mervyn's Department Stores to
replicate the program in Michigan, in collaboration with the
Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children. MiAEYC formed
a joint committee to identify and train qualified Detroit, Lansing,
and Ann Arbor artists. The
partnership with Mervyn's continues today, and has expanded
to include the Kalamazoo area. In 1990, The MiAEYC Wolf Trap Program
received a grant from the Michigan Council for the Arts and
Cultural Affairs to train three artists in Flint.
Funding from MCACA continues today, and has allowed MiAEYC
to bring the Wolf Trap program to many underserved areas
around the state. In addition to residencies and
workshops funded through grants from foundations,
educational institutions, school districts, teacher training
agencies, and corporations, numerous residencies and
workshops have been privately funded. Monies generated
through grants have been restricted by their donors for use
in specific geographical areas. Private funding has taken
the program to many cities, including Adrian, Escanaba,
Muskegon, Traverse City, and St. Clair. Michigan Wolf Trap
continues to seek funding to underwrite residencies and
workshops throughout the state.
Michigan
AEYC and the Wolf
Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts.