At Ivymount, the expressive arts are more than just a collection of artistic disciplines—they represent “a world of yes,” where creativity and self-expression are encouraged and celebrated, and there are no “bad ideas.” This philosophy is championed by Anna Piper, the Expressive Arts Coordinator, who believes that the arts provide a unique avenue for children and young adults to explore their identities and express themselves.
Fostering Self-Expression and Growth
Like the creative arts, expressive arts encompass a wide range of artistic mediums, including drama, dance, music, art, and creative writing. But in the expressive arts, “we’re really focusing on the part where it is the expression of yourself, learning who you are, and learning how the arts fit into your life,” says Piper. She emphasizes that it’s not just about perfecting a craft but about using the arts as a means of self-expression and personal growth, and even as a strategy to manage moments of frustration or upset.
Piper tailors and teaches music and expressive arts classes for The Maddux School, the Early Childhood Clinic, and Ivymount School’s Endeavors School Program and Aspire Program. She helps expand Ivymount’s Outreach and extracurricular programming by organizing community events, concerts, and family activities, and by developing new clubs and groups. She also creates and stewards partnerships with arts organizations to bring programming into Ivymount or arrange arts-based field trips for students.
Expanding Opportunities Through Partnerships and Programs
Ivymount is building on its history over the decades of having a robust expressive arts program, exploring new opportunities for growth. Students are enjoying visits by existing partners such as Only Make Believe and Music for Autism, while Piper is also bringing in different artists such as Adventure Theater, and providing students with a wide range of artistic experiences. “We’re asking ‘who can we bring in, can we take students offsite to programs, and can we expand job sites into the arts,’ offering students opportunities to build life skills through roles such as ushers?”
With a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood/Special Education, Piper has over a decade of experience as a board-certified music therapist and early childhood specialist. She says the benefits of the expressive arts for students are well-documented. Research shows that exposure to the arts can lead to gains in self-expression, self-confidence, emotional development, social skills, self-regulation, and motor skills. Additionally, research shows improvements in reading and writing, speech, and even math, through participation in and exposure to the arts. “It’s another way to reinforce and learn new skills, whether they’re academic or social, in a way that’s really accessible, non-threatening and where it feels safe to try something new,” she says.
Piper says she will continue to look for opportunities for students and the wider community; that will be helpful to people of all ages and with a variety of support needs. “We’ll build day by day, continue to ask questions, listen to students and staff, and look for the talents that they can contribute to the expressive arts program at Ivymount.”
