ARTREACH

In efforts to continue our mission of outreach to the community, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis brings contemporary art and ideas to high schools through our ArtReach program. This collaborative program of museum tours, school visits, and workshops with artists-in-residence is designed to enhance the existing curriculum at the participating schools and provide unique opportunities for raising student’s awareness of contemporary issues through an exploration of contemporary art. The ArtReach program is available throughout the school year and to all local schools Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm, September through April. Requests for ArtReach school tours are made at the beginning of each semester, in September and January.

ArtReach was initiated with support from the Saigh Foundation, with additional funding from The Boeing Arts and Education Council Collaborative Grant, the NEA and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

FUSION TEEN PROGRAM

Each semester students from Cardinal Ritter's art appreciation class participate in this program designed to enhance students’ understanding of contemporary art and ideas through a series of visits to the changing exhibitions at the Museum. These visits are reinforced by pre-visit and follow-up school visits with the Museum’s Lead Teacher. Students learn about the art-making process and the choices artists make. The changing exhibitions present students with a variety of subject matter and materials to explore. Students develop communication and critical thinking skills and they learn to discuss the artist’s intent and the evaluate art as a vehicle for communicating ideas.

Students are encouraged to play a major role in designing the program. Together students and the Lead Teacher develop a project which will enable them to share their experience with other students. This can take the form of an exhibition, a magazine, or a video.

The Fusion program is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Dana Brown Charitable Trust.

CONTEMPORARY ARTREACH

ArtReach is designed to provide high school students with multiple opportunities to engage with contemporary art and the world around them.

Through these dynamic encounters with contemporary and modern art students learn how are can be used to express ideas about people, history, culture and society, ideas that inspire and motivate artists and students too! In the process students learn how art is produced and interpreted. They gain experience creating art and develop communication and critical thinking skills.

ArtReach also engages schools in an on-going program throughout the school year. Museum educators meet with participating teachers to develop a customized program that links their school’s art curriculum with museum visits and studio experiences. ArtReach provides educational materials for teachers, including lesson plans, reading materials, books and art supplies. Assistance with transportation and reimbursement for substitute teachers is also available. 

During its pilot year, ArtReach developed ongoing relationships with 100 students in St. Louis City High Schools. It is our goal to double the number of students served in the 2006-2007 school year and ultimately offer this opportunity to all St. Louis City High Schools on an annual basis.

If you are interested in applying to this program and currently teach at a city high school, please contact Becky Frantonius for more infomation and application forms.

ArtReach is made possible through the generous support of the Saigh Foundation.