Our Mission…
To motivate, empower, define and inspire through Art.
Provide a supportive environment as well as tools and materials to encourage the creativity which we believe lies within the individual and needs to be expressed and encouraged from an early age for well-being and growth. Creative expression is an artistic form of what we feel inside which we can express through a variety of media such as painting, sculpture, music and poetry. This form of expression may be inspired by what we see, experiences encountered within our environment or it may be a reaction to our moods, feeling’s and sensations.
Our Vision…
A world where disabled and able individuals work together to provide greater opportunities, develop access to, appreciation of and participation in the arts at the highest level.
- The involvement of the community and the public, so they benefit in all projects and activities for maximum learning and enjoyment.
- To create a society where disabled and able individuals are together side by side and thriving in an art world that is accessible to all.
- To provide a supportive an environment, designed to allow all family members, adults and children get involved in creating artwork through hands on experience in art, craft and design.
- Workshops to be led by artists.
- Encourage children to learn new skills in art and develop those skills, share their ideas and experiences in art.
- Give children the freedom to make their own decisions, create artwork that is fun for them, and interact with other children of different ages.
- Promote the importance of art education in Primary and secondary Schools and works to get more young people into art.
- Encourage the use of art as an activity between parent and child (and family)
- Support children with limited skill and knowledge of art with the belief that we all have the ability to produce art.
- Artists working together to support and help develop British creativity from youth to adulthood in the south of England.
- A society where able people are aware of the different needs of disabled people and more importantly one where disabled people, who are proud of their disability and culture, understand that there is no need to separate and alienate themselves from the rest completely.
- To provide an art program that promotes creativity, independence, community integration and dignity.
Our values…
Enthusiasm: We encourage children to approach challenges with a positive attitude. We encourage an optimistic & good-humored approach to life at ArtSTART.
Freedom of Choice: ArtSTART sessions thrive on the freedom of choice and the freedom of expression. This encourages children to use their initiative and make their own decisions. Children are more responsive when they are given the chance to develop in ways they find enjoyable. A child’s determination, focus and the creative process are improved if they can relate to the activity or subject they are given. Their imaginations are used more effectively as they are relaxed and happy.
Empathy: We seek to inspire children to show fairness towards each other during art sessions. Every member of the session should be treated fairly. We try to be considerate to one another, showing patience & understanding. We believe that it is important to show compassion to others from different cultures & religions, and to those less fortunate than ourselves.
Responsibility and Discipline: Children must behave well at ArtSTART sessions. Children are encouraged to be self disciplined and responsible for their own behavior. Good behavior such as showing respect, manners and patience are rewarded by allowing the children to choose their own projects & themes, activities, materials and the tools & equipment they want to use. Bad behavior will not be accepted at ArtSTART sessions. Children who are disruptive, abusive or rude will be excluded from future sessions.
Respect: We show respect by being courteous to one another. Earning respect is the responsibility of everyone involved in ArtSTART. We do this by being reliable, fair and open-minded.
Experimentation and Exploration: ArtSTART sessions endeavor to provide as much materials, activities and resources as possible to help children in their exploration and experimentation of their ideas and discover new ways of working and learning. Children are supplied with an endless list of themes and activities as well as books and are encouraged to use the internet for research.
Integrity: We encourage integrity and honesty in our interactions with each other. We value truth and work to build trust amongst all members of ArtSTART and its community.
Education, Learning and Development: Art fuels youngsters’ creativity and stimulates their minds. Early exposure to visual art, music or drama promotes activity in the brain and provides young people with skills they will need as adults. Participating in art activities help children gain the tools necessary for understanding human experience, adapting to and respecting others’ way of working and thinking, developing creative problem-solving skills, and communicating thoughts and ideas in a variety of ways. Art Education develops self-esteem and self-expression, as well as appreciation for the work of others. It also develops critical thinking skills that will be important as young people continue their education and as they enter the working world. Activities are demonstrated first by the artist who will also talk about the materials he/she will be using. With the right environment and support children will become more confident, inspired and open to learning new things. Children will find out what they like and don’t like, discover what their inspirations are and learn a wide range of skills and techniques.
Unity: We support those who find themselves in difficulties. An adult will always be close by to help & support children during sessions. Staff support & help each other during sessions. Children are encouraged to work as a team.
Confidence and Self Esteem: ArtSTART classes are small. The artist leading workshops will be able to provide support, help and inspiration on an individual basis as well as being able to demonstrate many different things. Without taking over, artists will be encouraging each child to think for themselves, problem solve and work with any mistakes made as these skills are all part of working as an artist. Giving children the time and opportunity to see their ideas through from start to finish, learning new processes and techniques as well as being able to make their own decisions.
