Katy Lifestyles and Homes magazine Feb 2010: ARTreach Receives Mathing Grants and Individual Gifts

ARTreach programs support underserved communities including children at-risk children in the school districts, individuals with special needs, and the elderly in the Katy, Fort Bend and Houston area.

The organization has received new grants and donations to support a variety of programs in 2010. ARTreach is now accepting applications for new projects within the Katy area school district. All campuses and social service agencies in need of art educational support can apply for special projects and Mentoring

through Art programs.

ARTreach programs are professionally developed to support educational objectives and social skills. The artistic integrity associated with an ARTreach Program is linked to a roster of qualified professional artists with skilled teaching methods and a passion to share their gift with others.

The following are examples of ARTreach projects that can be funded through new grants in 2010.

ARTreach “Shared Vision” Murals

Collaborative campus projects like the Texas PTA World Mural Project are available to support Katy ISD sister schools and their PTAs in 2010. Projects are unique and designed by Vickie McMillan of ARTreach. The program invites students, parents and teachers from sister schools to participate in a series of ARTreach workshops. The workshops are scheduled during school hours when supported by the art teachers, and after school as organized by PTA volunteers.

Participants work in teams to create small individual works of art utilizing basic design elements of color and composition. The completed individual works of art come together to form the big picture representing the “shared vision” of both schools. The final mural(s) can be installed in a sponsoring business partner ’s location or campus location.

Commemorative Mural Projects

This project will involve a fifth-grade, eighth-grade or 12th-grade graduating class in designing and painting their own mural representing success, graduation and students ’ overall contributions and commitment to their education, school and community.

ARTreach smART Clubs

These programs are a collaboration between teachers and ARTreach teaching artists. Workshops are uniquely designed to support curriculum comprehension and relevance by integrating the arts into basic lesson plans. Priority is given to campuses serving the targeted neglected populations and Title I schools.

ARTreach Teaching Artist Certification

and Volunteer Training

ARTreach Studio Programs will certify artists and volunteers to teach a variety of ARTreach methods in 2010. Training programs are $450 for a six- hour course to include supplies. ARTreach will sponsor gifted students and volunteers interested in working in ARTreach programs.

Private Studio Lessons and Scholarships

Gifted and talented students with limited financial means may apply for ARTreach Studio Scholarships for private art lessons. ARTreach scholarships are awarded for 6- to 12-week courses in painting and illustration techniques. 2010 ARTreach Studio programs are offered by professional artists Vickie Mc McMillan of McMillan Studios and Elizabeth Linder. For a 2010 scholarship application, go to info@artreachonline.org.

ARTreach shares its resources with community groups and nonprofits seeking art educational support. For more information on programs, or to inquire about applications for a program, contact Terri Bieber at 281-392-5341 or go to www.artreachonline.org.l

Mentoring Through Art

These ARTreach programs will target the high-risk child. The programs combine one-on-one mentoring and expressive art lessons to help students cope with anger, depression, emotional stress or apathy. These are high impact programs that are issued as scholarships. Students may be referred by a social worker, teacher or principal.

ARTworks!

These projects support a variety of fundraising, community awareness causes and campaigns organized by a PTSA, PTA, High School Club, Best Buddies, PALS group, Project Graduation and are also available to community nonprofit groups through collaboration. ARTreach will help facilitate the group workshop to create paintings, ceramics and other sellable art to raise money for the cause.