HOW TO START

Determine the needs in your community. Meet with the appropriate people to find out if there is interest in such a program. Start small and strive for success. Begin as a simple, weekly arts program to a local homeless shelter for women and children. Set up as a museum outreach, the art educator could bring a large art box full of materials for the evening's activities. The families will enjoy creating art together in a stable and fun atmosphere.

ArtREACH grew slowly as it served more students and gained an exemplary reputation in the community. ArtREACH is now a bustling daily program coinciding with the school calendar. Over 100 students, grades K-8th, attend ArtREACH each year, learning about fine arts, theater, and music, while gaining valuable academic assistance. Serving nine local shelters and reaching students from all of Broward County Schools, the 6th largest school district in the nation, ArtREACH has proved to be an invaluable program helping underserved student populations.

The "How To Start" guide below will help your organization decide which program set-up is most suitable to your museum's resources.