Overview
A central principle of the Foundation's mission is to encourage the ambitions and education of developing visual artists. The Foundation's Art Education program strives to fulfill this mission by providing opportunities for both emerging youth artists and working adult artists through inclusive and diverse arts education programming, offered completely free to the public.
The program enhances the artistic education of young painters and sculptors through studio classes, in concert with other educational opportunities encouraging students to pursue and develop their voice in the arts. Simultaneously, the program supports the artistic development of working painters and sculptors through teaching opportunities, professional development training, and engagement with the artistic community.
The Art Education program began in 1997 with a single community partner, four Artist-Teachers and two classes that served approximately thirty students on Saturdays. Currently, the Art Education program partners with six organizations, offers Saturday, weekday, and summer programming, employs over forty Artist-Teachers, and serves 1,000 students each week.
The Art Education program partners with six organizations in three NYC boroughs:
The Boys' Club of New York
CUE Art Foundation
Goddard Riverside Community Center - Bernie Wohl Center
Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House
St. Nicks Alliance
University Settlement
After School Programs
After School Art
Working directly with community partners and their existing after school programs, the Joan Mitchell Foundation has offered New York City students high quality arts classes since 2005. Read more.
Saturday Studios
Saturday Studios program offers a balance of technical instruction with the opportunity for creative expression to students in grades 3–9. No experience is necessary and all are welcome, providing students of all levels with access to the arts. Read more.
Summer Programs
Summer Art Camp
The Joan Mitchell Foundation’s Art Education Program works with community partners to provide art classes for their summer camps. Co-taught by two professional artists, the Foundation's Artist-Teachers enable our community parters to offer quality arts education during the summer. Read more.
Summer Intensives
Each summer the Foundation’s Art Education Program provides portfolio development workshops for middle and high school students. Read more.
Summer Residency at Oxbow
Each summer, four select students from the Foundation’s Art Education Program are offered the opportunity to attend the Oxbow Summer Camp in Napa, California. Read more.
Student Opportunities & Support (SOS)
All students enrolled in the Foundation’s Art Education Program are eligible to receive individual support through the Student Opportunities and Support (SOS) Program. Read more.
Professional Development Program
The Professional Development Program provides the Foundation’s Artist-Teachers with comprehensive training in the field of art education, preparing them to be effective teachers and supporting their long-term growth as educators. Read more.
Register for Classes
Art Education classes are free and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Classes fill quickly, so interested students are advised to apply early once registration has begun. Read more.
Resources
The Art Education program is currently working on a collection of downloadable resources, including lesson plans and reference materials to assist teachers in their arts curricula. Read more.
FAQ
- What type of programs do you operate?
We provide art instruction in the established after school and summer programs of our community partners. These classes are available only for those young people registered in the community partners’ programs.
Students in grades 9–12 may apply to participate in our portfolio development and career exploration programs that are offered during after school hours in Chelsea (jumpstART). You may find more information on this program here.
Three-hour studio sessions are offered on Saturdays throughout the calendar school year. You may find more information on this program here.
Two-week summer intensives are held for middle and high school students during the months of July and August. You may find more information on the Summer Intensive here.
Individual support is available for all young people participating in Joan Mitchell Foundation Art Education programs. You may find more information on how the Foundation works with the young people here.
- Where do you have classes?
Classes are conducted in spaces managed by our community partners. These spaces are generally in community centers and school classrooms.
- With whom do you partner?
The Joan Mitchell Foundation Art Education Program partners with community centers and institutions throughout the city. These centers have a proven record of working with the communities they serve and consider the visual arts an essential part of quality education. Currently we partner with six different entities in three NYC boroughs. You can find links to the websites of our community partners here.
- Who do you serve?
The children served by our art education programs are predominantly those young people marginalized due to socio-economic conditions. Many live in public housing, attend Title I schools, and/or do not have regular access to art education in their schools.