A student makes silkscreens in the tradition
of Andy Warhol (Corcoran ArtReach / THEARC: Museum Field Trip,
November 10, 2005)
More Information
News & Upcoming Events
- National Symphony Orchestra Community Music and Arts Festival at THEARC
Saturday, March 14 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Corcoran ArtReach, in collaboration with the partners at THEARC, will be participating for a second year in the National Symphony Orchestra Community Music and Arts Festival at THEARC.
- ArtReach will host two spacescape workshops inspired by the special exhibition, Maya Lin: Systematic Landscapes, opening at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in March.
The festival will conclude with a full orchestra performance featuring images by Corcoran ArtReach students. For more information and directions to the Festival please visit www.thearcdc.org.
- The Third Annual Community Arts Day at THEARC
Saturday, November 1
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Corcoran
ArtReach is a participating partner in this year’s Community Arts Day at THEARC in Southeast D.C. For more information, please visit www.thearcdc.org.
- ArtReach Students Receive Scholarships to Attend Camp Creativity, Summer 2008
Thanks to a generous gift from the Weissberg Foundation, Corcoran ArtReach awarded scholarships to eight students, ages 8–15, to attend one full week of Camp Creativity, the Corcoran’s all-day summer art camp held at its Georgetown Campus. Scholarships were designated to students for outstanding performance and attendance in their ArtReach classes.
- Farewell for Bowen Elementary School, June 6
Corcoran's Artreach joins community organizations and leaders in an all-day event to celebrate the unconditional support the school and staff have given to the children and families for all these years.
Download the Southwester article here (PDF).
- May 29–June 22, 2008
The Corcoran Gallery of Art hosts an annual exhibition called Expressions:
Art by D.C. Youth and Families. Showcasing the artwork and creative gifts
of young people and families involved in the award-winning Corcoran ArtReach
program, the exhibition is designed to celebrate the gifts and talents of our
community.
Contact
For questions concerning ArtReach, please contact:
Melissa Green
Coordinator of Community Programs
mgreen@corcoran.org
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“It has been a joy to watch Mia build
her grasp of artistic technique and sense of creativity through her participation
in this camp. This was an opportunity
that we could never have afforded on our own.”
—Rachel K., parent
Mission:
Celebrating its 16th year, ArtReach extends the resources of the
Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Corcoran College of Art + Design
to underserved communities in Washington, D.C. through free high-quality
arts education programs. Using the Gallery’s collections as a
primary resource, ArtReach makes a special effort to foster the
creativity and visual literacy skills of individuals while helping
them develop meaningful connections between art and their lives.
Serving more than 150 student artists (ages 8–18) and their families
each year, ArtReach provides visual arts instruction and programming
in local community centers, including after-school and summer classes
as well as open family workshops.
History and Vision:
Corcoran ArtReach, originally named VACOP for Visual Arts Community
Outreach Program, was founded in 1992. The program was implemented
due to drastic art cutbacks in the District’s public school system
and began with scholarships to continuing education classes for
youth at the Corcoran and an after-school program at community
centers. It grew to include summer classes, regular field trips
to the gallery and designated museum staff within each community
center. VACOP founder and former Dean of the Corcoran College
of Art + Design, Samuel Hoi believed that arts education should
be accessible to everyone regardless of economic, social or educational
status stating, “my drive to work with inner-city youth comes
from my belief that art and design are equalizers in society,
and also can be used as community building tools. You can reach
a common ground through which people can come together.”
In a major step designed to integrate its education and outreach
services, the Corcoran made ArtReach a formal part of the Gallery's
education department in December 2001. This change has not only
enhanced the Corcoran's ability to develop innovative cross program
initiatives, but also has produced significant benefits for Corcoran
ArtReach staff and students. These include more comprehensive access
to the Corcoran's Teacher Resource Service and special educator
workshops, as well as to the Corcoran's curators, the many contemporary
artists who exhibit at the museum, and the education staff's contacts
within the D.C. public schools (DCPS). ArtReach continues its founding
vision today by encouraging dialogue between the museum and its
community through ongoing educational programs.
Program Summary:
ArtReach introduces young people to the Gallery’s collections and
the art-making process through ongoing classes and workshops that
take place within community partner centers throughout the city.
Community partner centers offer a safe, nurturing environment and
a designated art studio for ArtReach to operate. Part-time and
full-time teaching artists hold office hours within each center,
serving as a regular presence and liaison between the community,
schools, families, and students.
Classes operate year-round and are divided into three semesters
(fall, spring and summer). The fall and spring semesters occur
over a 12–15 week period and include after-school classes for 90
minutes, once a week. The summer semester occurs over a four- to
six-week period and includes classes for 90 minutes, twice a week.
Additionally, ArtReach hosts regular family workshops and participates
in special events at partner centers throughout the year.
The Corcoran’s ArtReach classes combine art appreciation and art
making into a unique learning experience. Students learn to look
at, discuss, and interpret works of art in the galleries on field
trips; experiment with a variety of art materials and methods;
and create their own artwork inspired by these experiences. ArtReach
participants exhibit their work in community galleries at the end
of each semester and at the Corcoran each spring in an exhibition
called Expressions, Art by D.C. Youth.
The nature of this experience allows students to reflect on their
creative process and share it with others.
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