Archive for March, 2009
Summer Camp is Just Around the Corner
Author: shell
As families across the nation struggle in the current economy, many are tightening their belts when it comes to how much they spend on their kids’ summer camps. The joys of kids’ summer camps can still be within reach.
In their search for shorter or less expensive camp alternatives, parents will find that they have many options. Affordable, inspiring, unique day camps that stimulate kids’ brains and allow them to explore something new and have a ton of fun are certainly available. A program with a sound curriculum and a caring, experienced staff is the formula for a great summer program.
KidzArt is excited to announce two new Summer Day Camp programs (where offered):
· “Famous Artist Adventure“- Learn from the “masters” by painting, sculpting and drawing based on the works and styles of famous artists such as Monet, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and others.
· “Eco-Friendly Expedition”- Go eco-friendly and create mixed media masterpieces made from recycled materials, including paper made from elephant poo!
Visit your local KidzArt Web site to register or find out more about summer camp offerings in your area.
read comments (0)Chris Cruikshank’s Top Ten List of Art Materials for Kids
Author: Chris Cruikshank
In honor of Youth Art Month, I wanted to share my list of favorite art materials that we use in many of our art projects at KidzArt. If you haven’t used these before, give them a try:
1) Liquid Watercolor Paint- Washable, economical and can be used straight from the bottle!
2) Scratch Art with scratch sticks- Scratch the black coating with a wood drawing stylus to reveal multicolor holographic colors
3) Oil pastels (water-based) – Create beautiful works of art using a kid-friendly medium that stands the test of time. We recommend the Portfolio brand because they can be blended by simply adding water.
4) Mr. Sketch non-scented markers- These watercolor markers featuring bright, vibrant non-toxic colors are great for pre-schoolers and are washable.
5) Air dry clay- Sculpey brand holds fine details and comes in many colors
6) Patterned and colored tissue paper
7) Watercolor crayons- The Caran d’Ache brand is soft, easy to work with and provides great coverage.
Vine Charcoal- This medium is messy but it is so much fun. You can easily manipulate the tones and create drawings that could never be done with other mediums.
9) Scrap Booking Paper- bristol cardstock, multicolors in 12” squares Give your child the chance to work on this format (square) with an array of beautiful colors. Use the darker colors with light colored pencils and oil pastels.
10) Prismacolor markers for ages 6 and up- We use these in KidzArt as the standard. They make the kids feel like real artists. They are a bit costly, but even a pack of 12 would do the trick.
“Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who’s Doing It Best”
Author: shell
“Art does not solve problems, but makes us aware of their existence,” sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz has said. Arts education, on the other hand, does solve problems. Years of research show that it’s closely linked to almost everything that we as a nation say we want for our children and demand from our schools: academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity.
Taken from Fran Smith’s article “Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who’s Doing It Best” in the February issue of Edutopia, this paragraph is a timely lead in to the purpose of March’s Youth Art Month.
I know that the tide is turning and innovative art initiatives are emerging in more and more schools. I’m thrilled to see the efforts and insistence that kids be exposed to the arts as a central, not peripheral, element of their education. This goes back to one of the reasons why KidzArt was started to begin with. I wanted my son to have the visual art exposure that I knew was necessary but not always readily available in school.
With the events and activities of Youth Art Month as reminders, let’s all be advocates of our children’s exposure art and cultural training in school, after school and at home.
Important Stats to Know About Art and Education
Author: Liberty Harper-Simonsen
Kidzart has found important statistics to share with you about how art can affect all of us, most importantly our children.One of the most important aspects of art is demonstrated in the results of studies that have proven that students who participate in the arts score higher on SAT tests regardless of socio-economic status. (1)The arts instill foundation skills needed for employment, but also for life, skills like reasoning, making decisions, thinking creatively, solving problems and visualizing. (2)An 11-year study examined youth in low-income neighborhoods and found that those who participated in arts programs were much more likely to be high academic achievers, elected to class office, participate in math and science fairs and win academic awards. (3)Art programs targeted toward very young children help prevent negative choices later on. Young children who participate in after-school arts programs have shown a decrease in negative behaviors and increases in attention span, commitment and tolerance. (4)For young people at risk of delinquency, school failure, substance abuse, teen pregnancy and other problems, involvement in the arts can improve academic performance, reduce school truancy, provide positive outlets and build new skills that give kids a chance at a better life. Arts programs are an effective intervention strategy for troubled youth who have failed to respond to more traditional educational and social service programs. Arts learning experiences can alter the attitudes young people have about themselves and toward learning, even among those who have had serious brushes with the law.A three-year study of arts-based delinquency programs in three different cities showed that at-risk youths participating in the arts programs improved their attitudes, behavior and academic performance, decreased delinquent behavior, and increased communication skills. (5)Former U.S. attorney general Janet Reno said much the same thing, “Young people who are involved in making something beautiful today are less likely to turn to acts of violence and destruction tomorrow.” We all need to support the arts. In doing so, we are telling America’s youth that we believe in them and value what they can be.”Terry Semel, past chairman of Warner Bros., said, “Art is central to a civilized society. Kids who create don’t destroy.”Footnotes(1) Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning, Arts Education Partnership, President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, 1999.(2) Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, U.S. Dept. of Labor, 1991(3) Community Counts: How Youth Organizations Matter for Youth Development, Shirley Brice Heath, Milbrey W. McLaughlin, 2000(4) Youth ARTS Development Project, U.S. Dept. of Justice, National Endowment for the Arts, Americans for the Arts, 1996-199(5) The Arts and Prosocial Impact Study, RAND, 1999courtesy of arvartcenter.org
March is Youth Art Month
Author: shell
Celebrate Youth Art Month