Connecting Children to Creative Thinking Through the Arts

Portfolio Editor's Note: This is the second in a two-part article about GCAC's partner organizations—TRANSIT ARTS and the Columbus Federation of Settlements – for our new arts education programming, Art in the House and TRANSIT ARTS. This issue, we'll focus on Art in the House.

Columbus area children are connecting to art through GCAC's new arts education program Art in the House, which will celebrate its first anniversary in February.

Art in the House, modeled in part after GCAC's award-winning Children of the Future program, officially began programming last February in partnership with the Columbus Federation of Settlements and TRANSIT ARTS.

While TRANSIT ARTS' primary focus is on teens, Art in the House is geared toward elementary and middle school children. The goal of the program is to begin the children's connection to creative thinking, leadership and lifelong learning through the arts.

Both TRANSIT ARTS and Art in the House have a special focus on the needs of children during out-of-school hours. GCAC receives generous financial assistance from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners for both programs.

Programming for Art in the House began in three of the seven Settlement Houses and expanded to a fourth last fall. The Columbus Federation of Settlements represents a coalition of neighborhood-based organizations that help individuals and groups build upon their strengths and draw upon community resources. Because of their locations in impoverished areas, the Settlement Houses traditionally and currently serve families most in need.

"Nearly 500 participants in the Art in the House program are now poised to achieve even greater success because of the regular after school arts programming at the four settlement houses, strong support from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the Ohio Arts Council and other funders, our amazing, supportive partnerships and access to Columbus' incredibly talented arts organizations and teaching artists," said Tim Katz, GCAC's Community Arts Education Director.

"This program and its possibilities give everyone involved a renewed sense of purpose and optimism," Katz said.

For Art in the House, GCAC connects with the partners to organize local artists, arts and cultural organizations and independent arts education programs into a comprehensive network of accessible opportunities for students. In addition to working within the Settlement Houses, GCAC and its partners also provide activities at other community sites. All programs are free and open to the public.

Several accomplished and highly acclaimed artists participate in both the Art in the House and TRANSIT ARTS programs. Richard Duarte Brown, a lead artist in the Art in the House program, designed the visual display in front of City Hall for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration in December. Children participating in the program made many of the tree ornaments. Warm spirits and holiday cheer reigned despite the cold temperatures. Children who were involved in the project were able to meet Mayor Michael B. Coleman at the celebration.

Jim Arter, GCAC's associate artist, is also organizing an Art in the House project that started in December with a visit to the Otterbein College Frank Museum of Art. Children will work with Art in the House artists at their neighborhood Settlement Houses to create their own artwork in response to their experiences during their visit to the college's art museum. The artwork created during the project will be on display at downtown's Columbus Metropolitan Library. An opening reception for the Art in the House exhibit is planned for Thu., Mar. 5 from 5-7 p.m.

If you're interested in participating in Art in the House or TRANSIT ARTS, contact Tim Katz, GCAC's Community Arts Education Director, at tkatz@gcac.org or 614-221-8626.

Photo: Mayor Michael Coleman and Art in the House participants at a December tree lighting.