Gage Academy of Art’s Post

We need to talk about this more: Art is Therapy. For decades, yes, decades in the US, art programs, funding, supplies, and teachers have been so dramatically reduced that less than 44% of elementary schools have one full-time art teacher, which is absurd in itself. To further the injury, many of those numbers are skewed by parent donations, leaving children of lower socioeconomic status with even less access to art. Unacceptable. In these same decades, mental health issues in school-age children have significantly increased. Coincidence? Access to art is a fundamental part of humanity; it is how we create language, record history, express new thoughts, inspire one another, and learn to connect with the infinite intelligence in this universe. Art is not limited to coloring crayons and gluing paper together; art is the connection to creation. It has no bounds. Our children not only deserve this, but it is up to us to foster a society's values of a creative nature.

Unlock the creativity within your budding scientists! If your child finds science challenging, why not try infusing a splash of art into their learning? Engaging activities like epoxy/resin art or mesmerizing paint pouring on different types of paper not only capture their interest but also provide a unique perspective on scientific principles. 🎨🔍🧪 Want more ideas? Check out this article for a whole list of fun activities! https://lnkd.in/d_ZZBeFX #WindowOnaWiderWorld #WOWW #ArtAndScience #nonprofit

Hey Everyone, Please consider donating, tagging, or sharing my DonorsChoose Wishlist! Art supplies are crucial in elementary school for several reasons: Creativity and Expression: Art supplies, such as crayons, markers, paint, and clay, allow children to express themselves creatively. This creative outlet is essential for their emotional and cognitive development. When kids engage in artistic activities, they explore their ideas, emotions, and experiences in ways that are unique to them. Motor Skill Development: Using art supplies helps children develop fine motor skills. Activities like drawing, painting, and sculpting require precise hand movements, which enhance their dexterity and coordination. These skills are foundational for other academic tasks, such as writing. Problem-Solving Skills: Art projects often involve problem-solving, whether it's figuring out how to mix colors to achieve a desired shade or how to construct a stable sculpture. This kind of problem-solving helps children develop critical thinking skills that are transferable to other areas of learning. Cultural Awareness: Art supplies enable students to explore different cultures and artistic traditions. By engaging with diverse materials and techniques, children gain an appreciation for the rich tapestry of human creativity and cultural expression. Emotional Regulation: Art can be a therapeutic activity that helps children manage and understand their emotions. When they are frustrated, anxious, or excited, creating art provides a way to channel and process their feelings in a constructive manner. Confidence Building: Completing an art project gives children a sense of accomplishment. Seeing their work displayed can boost their self-esteem and encourage them to take pride in their efforts and ideas. In summary, art supplies are more than just tools; they are integral to nurturing a child's development, creativity, and emotional well-being. https://lnkd.in/gSXxPH4E

Drawing for Your Rights: Empowering Children Through Art and Awareness Our project, Drawing for Your Rights, has been an extraordinary journey into the hearts and minds of children. Through this initiative, we aimed to teach children about each article from the Convention on the Rights of the Child and facilitate an art workshop where they could express their understanding and emotions through drawing and painting. Art is a powerful tool for communication, especially for children. It allows them to express complex feelings and thoughts that they might not be able to articulate with words. By asking children to create drawings based on the articles of the Convention, we provided them with a safe and creative outlet to explore and convey their perspectives on their rights. One of the most profound outcomes of Drawing for Your Rights was the insight it provided into the lives of the participating children. Through their art, we were able to discover that some children were being exposed to abuse. The therapeutic nature of the activity enabled these children to reveal their struggles and fears in a non-verbal way, triggering a process that allowed us to intervene and seek help for them. This experience underscored the critical role that art can play in uncovering hidden realities and initiating necessary actions to protect children from harm. How do you interpret the children’s art you see in your life? Do you look beyond the pencil? Come to our exhibition @l27_art_project and see some of the art we got to experience when we taught these children about their rights! #educaciondiversa #drawingforyourrights #educateforequality #art #artlearning #healingbrains #teachingrights

Embrace Artsy Thursday with your little ones! This 205 VIBE Blog explores the magic of open-ended art projects. Let creativity soar as children express themselves through colors, shapes, and textures. https://lnkd.in/dFG4-3f5

Exciting News from STEM to the Future We're thrilled to announce that we've received a generous grant of $77,560 from the LA County Department of Arts and Culture! This fantastic support allows us to further champion the 'A' in STEAM – integrating Arts seamlessly with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Our journey into the world of STEAM is not just about equations and experiments; it's about identity, creativity, and community. Take, for instance, our recent project that blends identity and artistry. Inspired by LA's own visionary artist Dakarai Akil, our students explored the realms of Afrofuturism and Black surrealism. Through his work, they delved into a profound cultural narrative that extends beyond the canvas. Each child creates a personal collage, transforming ideas into visual stories. This exercise was more than just an art lesson; it was a self-discovery process, a conversation starter, a tool for expression. By embracing the 'A' in STEAM, we teach our young learners that ideas can grow into tangible outcomes - be it art, a brand that raises awareness for marginalized communities, or a garden to nourish their community. We are immensely grateful for this grant as it acknowledges the importance of art in education and reinforces our commitment to providing a holistic learning experience. This is just the beginning! How do you integrate creativity into your educational programs? Or, what role has art played in your personal or professional growth? At STTF, we can cultivate a future where every idea has the potential to bloom into something beautiful. Check out our lesson on here. https://lnkd.in/gSmkSQ6j #PlantingtheSeed #STEAM #ArtsEducation #CommunityImpact #Innovation #LACountyArts

https://lnkd.in/gUGrkCUp Introduce your elementary students to the vibrant and iconic art of Keith Haring with our engaging art lesson plan. Dive into the world of bold lines, dynamic figures, and social messages as your students explore Haring's unique style and create their own art project inspired by his impactful work. Meet Keith Haring: Start the lesson by introducing your students to the life and art of Keith Haring. Share intriguing facts about his background, his passion for public art, and his commitment to spreading positive messages through his artwork. Show them examples of Haring's iconic figures, energetic lines, and vibrant colors. The Power of Symbolism: Engage your students in a discussion about the power of symbols and how they can convey meaning in art. Explore Haring's use of simple and recognizable symbols, such as hearts, figures, and dancing lines, to communicate universal messages of love, unity, and activism. Discuss the impact of his art in public spaces and how it engaged viewers from all walks of life. Dynamic Lines and Movement: Dive deeper into Haring's distinctive style characterized by bold and fluid lines. Explore how he captured movement, energy, and rhythm through his artwork. Encourage your students to observe the fluidity and expressiveness of Haring's lines and discuss how they can use similar techniques in their own creations. Creating Art with a Message: Inspire your students to create their own artwork inspired by Keith Haring's style and social consciousness. Provide them with materials such as markers, paints, and paper. Guide them in sketching and outlining bold figures, using Haring's signature style of simple shapes and energetic lines. Encourage them to incorporate symbols and messages that reflect their own values and ideas. Spreading Positive Messages: Discuss with your students the importance of using art as a platform for positive change and self-expression. Encourage them to think about the messages they want to convey through their artwork, whether it's promoting kindness, equality, or environmental awareness. Remind them of Haring's belief in the power of art to bring people together and spark conversations.

Since I came to the world of MYP Arts, and even more so now that I am the coordinator of Service As Action, I see everything more clearly: Visual Arts in the IB program has to be linked to Service As Action. As an Art Therapist I have evidence that Art is a tool with great power of personal introspection, but also social, enabling inclusion and acceptance of diversity. Through the creative process our students are able to develop IB Learner Profiles such as Caring, Balanced, Open Minded, and many more! They are able to develop empathy and human integrity that will allow them to link their projects to the Service As Action program. But how can you achieve this? I suggest that you first reflect on your teaching units. All teaching units have a social background, believe me. From painting a portrait, to making a digital animation, or even an abstract painting. Imagine linking the portrait with the making of an fanzines/artist book and then selling them to raise funds at a school event for a charitable foundation. Create a digital animation involving the entire educational community, gathering everyone's vision to acquire new social perspectives. Or create an abstract collective mural in which participants feel free to express their emotions and feelings, accepting their uniqueness and sharing the experience with different people from the educational community. The Service As Action should be the didactic purpose of our artistic units, beyond the aesthetic result... What do you think? Let your creativity flow to bring your students closer to a more human and solidary didactic approach! #IBEducation #Education #MYP #Arts #MYPArts #Internationalmind #WAGBA

Episode 20 of the Shuruart Foundation Series In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of age-appropriate grouping for art activities. With over 1,000 children under our guidance, Shuruart Foundation has gained valuable insights into the importance of tailoring art experiences based on developmental stages. Why Age-Based Grouping Matters Children progress through distinct phases of artistic expression. Younger children often focus on symbols and basic shapes, while older kids strive for realism in their artwork. Mixing these developmental stages can hinder the growth of younger children, as they may feel discouraged by the advanced techniques of their older peers. Our Approach: Age-Specific Art Groups* To foster a supportive and inclusive art environment, we advocate for age-specific groups: *7-8 Year Olds: Explore their creativity with fundamental shapes and symbols. 8-10 Year Olds: Begin incorporating real-life elements into their art. 11+ Year Olds: Develop more detailed and realistic techniques of expressing themselves The Power of Mixed-Age Collaboration While age-based groups are essential, we also recognize the value of mixed-age group projects. These collaborative experiences allow children of all ages to contribute based on their skill level, fostering teamwork and inspiring each other. In this video, you'll discover: * The significance of age-appropriate art groups. * Effective strategies for structuring age-specific groups. * The benefits of mixed-age group projects. * Tips for creating an inclusive art environment for all ages. #artactivities #kidsart #agegroups #arteducation #shuruartfoundation age-appropriate art activities children's art education mixed-age art projects https://lnkd.in/gz-iRzzM

A mini research paper I wrote on how Community-Based Art can help Special Needs students "“Arts learning enables students to make mental connections between concepts and hands-on, concrete applications and to generate knowledge through being actively engaged in learning. Any hands-on or active arts learning encourages conscientization, the discovery of one’s potential.” ((Ho, 2010, 68)" https://lnkd.in/gn97cwHm