According to NHNSCR, “[until the age of six] is critical in shaping a child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. During this time, the brain makes billions of new connections between neurons, creating the network that will support learning, memory, emotional regulation, and other essential skills. . . As we continue to learn more about the complexity of the brain’s growth and function, it is essential to provide young children with the experiences and resources they need to thrive.”
And yet, our local Liberty Creek kindergarten students are receiving only three hours of free and accessible art education.
Say 'Hello' to . . .
Art Club, via an ArtsWA Creative Starts Grant and hosted by RHS, that:
Is free . . . Meets at least monthly . . . Is student-centered . . . Has consistent membership and attendance over the course of a certain period . . . Connects an art discipline with non-arts curriculum . . . Has targeted age-appropriate and sequential curriculum . . . Meets WA State Arts Learning Standards . . . Supports collaboration between early learning educators, schools, families, artists, and organizations . . . Increases culturally relevant student learning in and through the arts . . . Strategically increases public access to arts integration . . . Creates a foundation of art exposure, appreciation, and excitement that prepares students for art opportunities as they grow!!
Mission . . .
Art Club uses the expertise, philosophy, and books of esteemed art educator George Szekely: “By observing children at play and using props and situations familiar to them, teachers can build on children’s energy and self-initiated discoveries to inspire school art that comes from the child’s imagination. The foundation of this teaching approach is the belief that the essential goal of art teaching is to inspire children to behave like artists, that art comes from within themselves and not from the art teacher.”
Bringing the mission to life . . .
A small group of concerned parents believed more could be done to foster the arts in young children. Rooted Sonshine helped by ~ empowering them to invest in their community and create the change they wanted to see; targeting like-minded partners (individuals, organizations, nonprofits); researching potential funding opportunities; writing and securing a $10,500 grant!
The difference it makes . . .
In the book Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, authors Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, explain how art is not an entertainment luxury, but that activities from painting and dancing to expressive writing, architecture, and more are essential to our lives.
The book’s summary and reviews read “[Art] can deliver potent, accessible, and proven solutions for the well-being of everyone. Magsamen and Ross offer compelling research that shows how engaging in an art project for as little as forty-five minutes reduces the stress hormone cortisol, no matter your skill level, and just one art experience per month can extend your life by ten years. . . .playing music builds cognitive skills and enhances learning; the vibrations of a tuning fork create sound waves to counteract stress; virtual reality can provide cutting-edge therapeutic benefit; and interactive exhibits . . . strengthen[ing] memory. Doctors have even been prescribing museum visits to address loneliness, dementia, and many other physical and mental health concerns. Your Brain on Art is a portal into . . . how the arts. . . build healthier communities . . .”
Our students deserve healthier communities. Art will help.
Make YOUR difference . . .
What difference do you want to make?
