New programs for children, adults, educators and artists create more opportunities for creative learning and professional development.
NEW ORLEANS – This school year marks an exciting new chapter for KID smART as the arts education nonprofit launches new programming for all ages, including adults. Designed to spark creativity and lifelong learning, the new offerings will expand access to arts education by providing community members with opportunities to build creative skills, learn from local artists, and engage in hands-on visual and performing arts experiences.
“With the opening of the KID smART Center for Arts & Education, we have created a place where creativity can thrive and where people of all ages can discover, develop and celebrate their artistic potential,” said Elise Gallinot Goldman, executive director of KID smART. “This expanded programming is an investment in our community and in the belief that every person deserves access to the transformative power of the arts. We are deeply grateful to our supporters whose generosity made this vision a reality.”
The new programs include:
- smARTIST in Residence (SIR) – This program allows participants who are age 18+ to unleash their creativity in a warm, welcoming, and judgment-free environment. Whether they are picking up a paintbrush for the first time in years or are looking to experiment with new mediums, this series is designed for everyone. Every Tuesday, local, established artists will share their creative journey and highlight the creative practice with the greater community. Each residency spans four weekly sessions, and participants are welcome to attend one, several or all four sessions to explore new techniques and build skills at their own pace.
- Creative Classrooms – Offered twice a month on Wednesdays, this program gives educators seeking more arts training the opportunity to add arts-integrated resources to their toolkits in a small, experiential group format. This program is for educators of all grades and subjects.
- KID smART U – This program offers courses for those who are age 18+ seeking foundational arts training. These four-week courses provide dedicated skill-building opportunities to participants in visual art, dance and drama.
- Creative Clubhouse – KID smART’s donation-based Saturday morning programming will be three times the fun this fall, with drop-in exploratory experiences in visual arts, theater and dance. Advance registration required. This program is for all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
- Creativity X Community – On Saturday afternoons, the KID smART Center will be open to free programming from one of our many community partners. Come make art and learn about partner programming available to families throughout the city. This program is for all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Registration is now open for KID smART’s new programs. Community members interested in participating can learn more about each offering, view course schedules and register by visiting kidsmart.org/events. Space is limited, and early registration is encouraged.
While the opening of the KID smART Center for Arts & Education marks a major milestone, the work is not finished. Contributions to the Creativity at the Center Campaign will help sustain and expand the center’s innovative programming, ensuring children, educators, artists and families across the Greater New Orleans area have access to high-quality arts education for years to come.
Every gift supports KID smART’s mission to make the arts accessible to all while strengthening creativity, education and community connections. Every dollar given to the Creativity at the Center Campaign between Aug. 15 and Sept. 30 will be matched by The Azby Fund, up to $75,000. To learn more about the Creativity at the Center Campaign or to make a donation visit, kidsmart.org/capital-campaign
Founded in 1999, KID smART provides public school students with greater access to arts-rich education. In its 27-year history, KID smART has served more than 70,000 students and 15,000 teachers in schools throughout New Orleans and beyond.
About KID smART
Over the last two decades, KID smART has collaborated with more than 40 New Orleans public schools to blend the arts into academic lessons to make classrooms more effective and joyful places to learn. Through full-year artist residencies, students in KID smART Creative Schools prove to grow academically, artistically, and emotionally. KID smART also partners with national thought leaders, including Harvard’s Project Zero Classroom, to incorporate best practices in arts and education into its program model. The KID smART Center for Arts & Education, provides a permanent home for free and low-cost arts education in the Bayou Road/7th Ward Neighborhood.