Creative Art Learning during COVID

Flockworks was awarded a California Arts Council (CAC) Arts in Schools grant which will help fund staff time to help us continue and expand our role in supporting arts-integrated learning at the elementary level. Our Plan before COVID was to continue the very successful Art Studio program with weekly Art for 420 323rd to 5th grade children at Dana Gray and bring similar creative support to Redwood School. While much has changed with COVID 2020, integrating art into the broader learning process is even more significant than ever to keep children engaged; plus supporting children’s own creativity & exploration in their home-setting is critical.  However, COVID adds many unexpected costs for bringing art learning to children in their homes.  Nevertheless, we are forging ahead full speed as distance Learning begins this week.  Plans are still uncertain for fall in-school classes.  

Flockworks is right now preparing CREATIVE ART LEARNING PACKs of tools and materials for at-home learning time for 800 children k-5th.  The ART PACK will contain key tools like a clipboard, scissors, & rulers and supplies like glue sticks, crayons, watercolors, pencils & makers as well as paper and related supplies for creative projects. This will come in a cloth Art Bag, dedicated for storing tools and supplies at home. A special design is being created at by Kiersten Hanna at Braggadoon.

Each Art Pack costs about $12.00 per child plus costs for additional supplies and materials needed throughout the year.  This unexpected expense is not covered by our grant: a commitment from FBUSD is helping cover about half the cost for the Art Packs and materials. But an additional $6,000 will be needed. You can help by making a donation to Flockworks; any size gift will help and it all adds up.  Join the Flock  It takes all of working together!     

Community Artists Norma Trejo and Joanna Wigginton are again taking the lead in this initiative.  Norma is our outreach Artist while Joanna spearheads our work with teachers to help them integrate art into the curriculum.  

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