What is A.R.T. for Life?
A program of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley (ACBV), A.R.T. for Life provides youth in juvenile detention a foundation for making better life choices by offering a process for creative growth and an outlet for creative energy.
This program is for teenagers facing many challenges: peer pressure, drugs, anger, abuse, violence, gangs and questions about who they really are. While no program can offer all the answers, the arts can help youth uncover the power, strength and wisdom that exists within themselves, while giving them creative and positive outlets for expression – tools that will last a lifetime.
How did A.R.T. for Life start?
In the Spring of 2008 Brazos County Juvenile Services Department (BCJSD) approached the Arts Council about the possibility of providing volunteers to present a summer art program for youth in detention. We quickly realized this was a unique opportunity but did not exactly know where to start.
At the same time, and totally by coincidence, local artist and community activist and leader, Laura Tankersley, was thinking such a program is desperately needed in the Brazos Valley. Her background in fine art and the arts as a source of healing, community building, and teaching, were a perfect match.
The ACBV, Tankersley and BCJSD quickly joined forces and Art Reaching Teens for Life was born.
But why art?
Art does something more than fill dingy spaces devoid of character; it offers mastery, discipline, structure, healthy relationships, as well as positive and creative ways for people – young and old alike – to express locked in emotions and frustrations, the very same emotions and frustrations that often lead to offenses.
By making art accessible and giving youth the opportunities to meet and be mentored by people who create a variety of art, we will help our youth feel they can build and create anything. Why? Because the arts have the power to teach us.
- The arts instill an innate ability to think and solve problems creatively and flexibly.
- The arts teach teamwork and an appreciation for others strengths and talents
- The arts teach us how to play and thus, are about expressing joy.
The arts teach communication:
T.
- there are many ways to see and interpret the world.
in the arts, it is judgment rather than rules that prevail.
.
The arts teach that qualitative evaluations can be as valid as quantitative evaluations
become realities.
through these experiences they discover their range of capability and achievement.
So, what IS the A.R.T. for Life program?
A.R.T. for Lifeis a hands-on artist-mentor/youth program bringing art directly to youth in detention with the Brazos County Juvenile Services Department. At any given time 5-20 youth are in detention for a range of offense. A.R.T. for Lifebrings an artist in twice a week (for example Tuesdays and Thursdays) for a three hour session each day (six hours a week) to work with youth on art projects. The very first project was life cast masks – making masks directly from the face of those in the program. For four weeks the students learned the history of mask making and different techniques for mask making, created their own masks – in plaster and in paper-maché. The plaster masks were then decorated, painted and embellished by the students to reflect their thoughts, feelings and express their creative talents. This initial component of the program will includes a special exhibit of the student’s masks at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. This exhibit will run concurrent with the BVMNH’s exhibition of !CARNIVAL! – the traveling exhibit developed by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
How can you help?
We feel strongly that investing in programs like A.R.T. for Life serves our community for the long run. If you put the services upfront, you're going to have a healthier more vibrant community in the future – and you can be a part of that. Here is how you can help us: Your Donation Counts!
There are many simple ways to support A.R.T. for Life and make a real difference and help build the foundations for life long learning. Some kids don't have that choice: not at home, not at school, not with their peers. Programs like A.R.T. for Life
say: “No, you are NOT alone. Yes, it IS ok to express yourself. No, that is NOT your only option. Yes, We DO care about your future."
With your help we can continue to provide creative outlet tools to our youth and support our local arts community too! Your donation makes a difference. It gives our youth tools to make better life decisions and employs artists in our community.
For more information about A.R.T. for Life, other Arts Council of Brazos Valley programs or to donate please contact us at:
Arts Council of Brazos Valley
2275 Dartmouth Street
College Station, TX, 77804
979.696.2787
info@acbv.org
www.acbv.org
What is A.R.T. for Life?
A program of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley (ACBV), A.R.T. for Life provides youth in juvenile detention a foundation for making better life choices by offering a process for creative growth and an outlet for creative energy.
This program is for teenagers facing many challenges: peer pressure, drugs, anger, abuse, violence, gangs and questions about who they really are. While no program can offer all the answers, the arts can help youth uncover the power, strength and wisdom that exists within themselves, while giving them creative and positive outlets for expression – tools that will last a lifetime.
How did A.R.T. for Life start?
In the Spring of 2008 Brazos County Juvenile Services Department (BCJSD) approached the Arts Council about the possibility of providing volunteers to present a summer art program for youth in detention. We quickly realized this was a unique opportunity but did not exactly know where to start.
At the same time, and totally by coincidence, local artist and community activist and leader, Laura Tankersley, was thinking such a program is desperately needed in the Brazos Valley. Her background in fine art and the arts as a source of healing, community building, and teaching, were a perfect match.
The ACBV, Tankersley and BCJSD quickly joined forces and Art Reaching Teens for Life was born.
But why art?
Art does something more than fill dingy spaces devoid of character; it offers mastery, discipline, structure, healthy relationships, as well as positive and creative ways for people – young and old alike – to express locked in emotions and frustrations, the very same emotions and frustrations that often lead to offenses.
By making art accessible and giving youth the opportunities to meet and be mentored by people who create a variety of art, we will help our youth feel they can build and create anything. Why? Because the arts have the power to teach us.
- The arts instill an innate ability to think and solve problems creatively and flexibly.
- The arts teach teamwork and an appreciation for others strengths and talents
- The arts teach us how to play and thus, are about expressing joy.
The arts teach communication:
T.
- there are many ways to see and interpret the world.
in the arts, it is judgment rather than rules that prevail.
.
The arts teach that qualitative evaluations can be as valid as quantitative evaluations
become realities.
through these experiences they discover their range of capability and achievement.
So, what IS the A.R.T. for Life program?
A.R.T. for Lifeis a hands-on artist-mentor/youth program bringing art directly to youth in detention with the Brazos County Juvenile Services Department. At any given time 5-20 youth are in detention for a range of offense. A.R.T. for Lifebrings an artist in twice a week (for example Tuesdays and Thursdays) for a three hour session each day (six hours a week) to work with youth on art projects. The very first project was life cast masks – making masks directly from the face of those in the program. For four weeks the students learned the history of mask making and different techniques for mask making, created their own masks – in plaster and in paper-maché. The plaster masks were then decorated, painted and embellished by the students to reflect their thoughts, feelings and express their creative talents. This initial component of the program will includes a special exhibit of the student’s masks at the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. This exhibit will run concurrent with the BVMNH’s exhibition of !CARNIVAL! – the traveling exhibit developed by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
How can you help?
We feel strongly that investing in programs like A.R.T. for Life serves our community for the long run. If you put the services upfront, you're going to have a healthier more vibrant community in the future – and you can be a part of that. Here is how you can help us: Your Donation Counts!
There are many simple ways to support A.R.T. for Life and make a real difference and help build the foundations for life long learning. Some kids don't have that choice: not at home, not at school, not with their peers. Programs like A.R.T. for Life
say: “No, you are NOT alone. Yes, it IS ok to express yourself. No, that is NOT your only option. Yes, We DO care about your future."
With your help we can continue to provide creative outlet tools to our youth and support our local arts community too! Your donation makes a difference. It gives our youth tools to make better life decisions and employs artists in our community.
For more information about A.R.T. for Life, other Arts Council of Brazos Valley programs or to donate please contact us at:
Arts Council of Brazos Valley
2275 Dartmouth Street
College Station, TX, 77804
979.696.2787
info@acbv.org
www.acbv.org