Children at Risk
ARTreach MENTORING THROUGH ART, SMART and URGEWORKS Programs support education and graduation and can influence a student's descision to stay in school and not drop out.
What is an “at-risk” child?
An at-risk child is in all grade levels, they may have life circumstances beyond their control, they may be yielding low grades, have excessive discipline referrals, or abundant absences. These children are at risk of academic failure, not graduating from high school, drug abuse, gang activity and violence. Today’s youth face complex challenges affecting their personal lives and future opportunities. National statistics site that youth account for 18 percent of all reported violent crime and 33 percent of all serious property crime.
How can Art programs help?
Art programs provide positive alternatives for at-risk youth. ARTreach uses art programs to help participants learn how to express themselves in an appropriate non-violent manner. These skills lead to less crime. Youth often face difficult choices. The arts teach creative problem solving skills and builds self confidence and self discipline. Arts education is central to a youth’s individual and social development and nurtures a child’s development by:
* Strengthening academic performance and communication
* Teaching cooperation and team building skills
* Contributing to technological competence
* Fostering an appreciation for cultural and ethnic diversity
* Teaching creative problem solving skills
* Building self esteem and self discipline
* Encouraging the ability to imagine and articulate thoughts
* Teaching responsibility to complete tasks from start to finish
* Increasing literacy skills
* Deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems.
ARTreach MENTORING THROUGH ART Program
Combines positive role models and arts learning practices to support education, graduation and success!
Mentoring through ART
This program pairs a professional artist with a child at risk as identified through the school district. Mentoring through Art is a one-on-one mentoring program that focuses on positive role models combined with successful art experiences. The program includes student exhibitions and awards as a way to build self-confidence and self-esteem. Techniques in drawing, songwriting, comic books making, scratch board art, papier-mâché, sculpture, film making, canvas painting, poetry and spoken word, hip hop dance, clay building, ceramics, scrapbooking, architectural rendering, photography,are a few of the art experiences our volunteers have provided to children who would not otherwise be given these experiences.
Mentoring through Art for Preschool Children with Disabilities (PPCD)
Preschool children with disabilities need to be exposed to a wide variety of learning opportunities that include a range of teaching methods, ARTreach visiting artists introduce preschool teachers and the children to a variety of art based learning practices coupled with hands on experiences can help a child express ideas they may have difficulty verbalizing. Teachers appreciate the visiting artist and the opportunity they provide for a new and creative art experience in the classroom. Ceramics, collaborative projects, piñatas making and other fun projects are introduced monthly.
ARTreach Mentoring through Art supporting Adaptive Behavior
The children in this program have behavior and or emotional issues being addressed through special education. The ARTreach objective is to introduce positive artists and community role models to the children, while providing a successful art experience designed to boost self-esteem and encourage the children to appreciate the arts as a positive outlet for expressing their emotions.
ARTreach Studio Scholarship Program
This ARTreach program helps a gifted student advanced to the next level of skill by providing private art lessons to build a portfolio for future college and job opportunities. Art is a very competitive field, and for a student to advance, private lessons are often necessary. Professional lessons, along with apprenticeship and mentorship can help launch an artistically inclined student into a successful career as a professional artist.
ARTreach Mentoring through Art Programs and URGEWORK Programs support Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communties and after school activities for children at risk.
Cultural Arts and Performing Arts Assemblies for underserved campuses
Through successful fundraising ARTreach is working to provide equal access to the arts. ARTreach is bringing a variety of cultural arts presentations to children at campuses who would not otherwise be given the opportunity due to limited PTA funds and low parent volunteer involvement.
ARTreach SMART Programs
These are ARTreach Programs that combine science and math curriculum with arts based learning practices to support improved learning. ARTreach offers a list of Arts-in-Education Programs that support Science and Math (TEKS) objectives offered as curriculum support and staff develpoment. Email info@artreachonline.org for more information.
ARTreach URGEWORKS Programs
Combines positive role models, and relevant urban arts practices inspired by the hip hop culture. These programs support drug abuse awareness, and antigang initiatives.
