ARTHOUSE has just turned 5 years of age. What began as a charitable organization in 2009, providing cost-free arts programs for children aged 7-12 from all socio-economic levels, ArtHouse is now focusing virtually all of its attention on young people that have little or no access to the arts.
Arts programs can be very costly and many families simply do not have the discretionary funds to afford this luxury. And, because they are often not available in a public school curriculum, we saw a wonderful opportunity to provide them in an extra-curricular environment; after-school, on weekends, and over school breaks, often times when children may be on their own because parents are working.
ArtHouse has seen tremendous growth in both it's programming options and the number of strategic locations that it has been able to access throughout Oakville and Burlington.
"The changes in many of our children in just a few short weeks are wonderful to witness." Gemma Hagerman, ARTHOUSE Program Administrator
We are taking the programs into the community, and are so grateful to so many stakeholders for embracing the importance of an arts education in a child's most formative years.
Thanks to many generous funders over these past five years, ArtHouse has implemented 81 programs to 1641 children in the two communities. With everything from visual arts in partnership with Oakville Galleries to a theatre performance summer camp at Sheridan College to cooking programs at Whole Foods Market, ArtHouse has employed 50 Professional Instructors supported by over 300 volunteers to bring the best out in young children.
"Our wonderful leaders not only bring their incredible arts talents to each of our programs, but they also dig down into the child to help them develop their cognitive and social skills," says Gemma Hagerman, Program Administrator for ArtHouse. "The changes in many of our children in just a few short weeks are wonderful to witness. We really are changing lives, and are so proud of every child that is benefiting from our programs."
In just 60 months, ArtHouse has given an opportunity to more than 1200 children that would never have had access to these programs if there was a cost involved. Parents are so appreciative, and that makes all of us at ArtHouse feel pretty special.
And, this year ArtHouse is moving into new territory with the launch of its Youth Leadership Development Program. With many ArtHouse alumnae now turning 13, the organization is offering to teach these young teens the skills to become leaders in society – many have “signed on” saying they not only want to retain their relationship with the charity, but they also want to give back by becoming volunteers to the young children that are new to ArtHouse