The Artful Living Project
Everything man-made is art.
Children learn that they have the ability to create something that does not already exist.
Immersion in the arts enhances vision and creativity, increases academic performance, and stimulates leadership characteristics.
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Project Summary
The Artful Living Project stimulates children to realize that they have the ability to create something that does not already exist.
Studies show a link between arts and leadership. Both are founded on vision and creativity.
The Artful Living Project was created to immerse developing minds in the fine arts to enhance vision and creativity.
The project involves parents in their children’s creative and academic development.
The Artful Living Project provides a uniting collaboration among community organizations and the public schools.
The program is replicable for other school districts.
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Phase I: Classroom Immersion
The earlier “effective nurture” is applied, the more effective it will be. This is why the Artful Living Project chose preschoolers as its audience.
The Artful Living Project:
Fine arts immersion reinforces creativity over an extended period of time.
Arts providers’ lessons reinforce teachers’ daily lesson plans and meet state educational standards.
Lessons are taught by professionally trained artists.
The project can be easily replicated in other schools.
The pilot program in the Massillon City preschool includes daily lessons in one of these fine arts: visual arts, literature, music, or dance. The response from teachers, parents, administrators, and observers for this phase of the project has been enthusiastic.
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Phase II: Family Environment
Children spend more time at home than they do at school. In order to enhance children’s exposure to the arts, the Artful Living Project has invited families to participate in the project outside of the school environment.
The Artful Living Project:
Hosts regularly scheduled family meetings.
Offers art classes for all children in the family.
Presents helpful information for parents on topics of wellness, nutrition, local social services, and more.
Provides art supplies to all children in the family to use at home.
This phase invites the parents to become involved in their children’s education and creativity in a non-threatening environment.
Family feedback indicates a desire to extend this phase of the project.
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Phase III: Research
The Artful Living Project:
Has recorded academic improvement through the state mandated “Get it, Got it, Go” evaluation.
Has created a tracking process for measuring achievement throughout the students’ academic careers.
Creates a basis for establishing standards for early childhood development.
Evaluates each child with a pre-test and post-test designed specifically for The Artful Living Project.
Will engage Faculty of Ashland University for data analysis.
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Download information:
The Artful Living Project Overview Trifold (PDF 1.1 MB)
The Artful Living Project Packet (PDF .9 MB)
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Participants:
The Ananda Center of Massillon
Ashland University, Stark Campus
Canton Symphony Orchestra
Massillon City Schools
Massillon Museum
Massillon Public Library
Stark Education Partnership
Advisory Board:
Mr. Wilbur Arnold, Chairman
Dr. John Haschak, Ashland University (ret.)
Mr. Mel Herncane, Boys and Girls Club of Massillon
Ms. Gail Martino, Stark County Educational Service Center
Dr. Joe Rochford, Stark Education Partnership
Mr. Robert Rohrer, Massillon City Schools (ret.)
Funding:
Ohio Arts Council
The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
The Massillon Rotary Foundation
The Charity Rotch School of Kendal Foundation
Private Donors
Project Contacts:
Chris Craft,
Director, The Artful Living Project
330-833-4061
email him
Wilbur Arnold
Chairman, Board of Advisors, Artful Living
330-830-6667
email him
