Art Camp 504

ART CAMP 504 PROVIDES 8 WEEKS OF SUMMER CAMP AND HOLIDAY ART WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN AGES 7-13 AT OUR TWO LOCATIONS, THE TIGERMEN DEN IN THE BYWATER AND ART KLUB IN ST ROCH. OUR MISSION IS TO SHAPE THE NEXT GENERATION OF INNOVATORS AND CREATIVE PROBLEMS SOLVERS BY GIVING YOUNG ARTISTS THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE THEY NEED TO REACH THEIR INNATE POTENTIAL. THE ISSUE OUR ORGANIZATION WORKS TO ADDRESS IS THE DEMAND FOR HIGH QUALITY, EXTRA CURRICULAR ART INSTRUCTION FOR OUR YOUNGEST ARTISTS IN NEW ORLEANS. MANY OF OUR CAMPERS ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING A CAREER IN THE ARTS. OUR TEEN CAMPERS EXPRESS THAT ART CAMP 504 HAS HELPED THEM PURSUE HIGH SCHOOL ART PROGRAMS AND BUILD A PORTFOLIO FOR NOCCA. WE OFFER WORKSHOPS THAT STUDENTS OFTEN CANNOT FIND IN THE TRADITIONAL SCHOOL ART CLASS. OUR RISING ARTISTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM STRIVES TO MAKE ART EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME LEVEL. OUR PROGRAMS TEACH STUDENTS VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS SKILLS ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF DISCIPLINES. CURRENT WORKSHOPS INCLUDE: CULINARY ARTS, PHOTOGRAPHY, FILM, THEATER, PUPPETRY, PRINTMAKING, PARADE, GRAPHIC DESIGN, CERAMICS, CREATIVE WRITING, ILLUSTRATION AND ANIMATION. WE BELIEVE IN EMPOWERING KIDS TO RUN THEIR OWN WORK TIME - STUDENTS KNOW WHAT THEY ARE WORKING ON, WHERE TO FIND MATERIALS AND HOW TO MANAGE THEM, AND THEY KEEP THEIR STUDIO SPACE CLEAN AND ORGANIZED. OUR SMALL CAMP SIZE ENSURES THAT THE KIDS HAVE DIRECT INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE THROUGHOUT WORKSHOP TIME. EVERY WORKSHOP CONCLUDES WITH A PERFORMANCE, SCREENING, GALLERY SHOW, OR ORAL PRESENTATION. THE FINAL PRESENTATION REQUIRES STUDENTS TO PRACTICE THEIR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS IN AN ARTIST TALK, WHERE EACH CHILD DISCUSSES THEIR PROCESS AND INSPIRATION. THERE IS A LARGE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES IN NEW ORLEANS, AND WE WANT TO PROVIDE LOW COST SUMMER CAMP THAT IS EDUCATIONAL AND ALSO PROVIDES NEEDED CHILDCARE FOR PARENTS. WE BELIEVE THAT ART HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE LIVES, AND OUR GOAL IS FOR ALL CHILDREN TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN PROFESSIONAL SKILLS REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME LEVEL. THE MAJORITY OF OUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS COME FROM TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS. DIRECTOR SAM BASS HEADS PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION - SHE REACHES OUT TO SCHOOL ART TEACHERS SPECIFICALLY LOOKING FOR STUDENTS THAT WOULD GREATLY BENEFIT FROM ATTENDING ART CAMP 504. THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS THAT RECEIVE FREE LUNCH, AND WE'VE HAD MANY FAMILIES FIND OUT ABOUT THIS PROGRAM THROUGH THEIR OWN RESEARCH OR WORD OF MOUTH. THE RISING ARTISTS PROGRAM BEGAN TWO SUMMERS AGO WITH A GRANT FROM THE JAZZ AND HERITAGE FOUNDATION. WITH THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT, AND OUR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS, WE ALLOCATE APPROXIMATELY $7,000 ANNUALLY IN FINANCIAL AID TO YOUNG ARTISTS. THAT ACCOUNTS FOR 40 REDUCED COST SCHOLARSHIPS, WHERE FAMILIES PAY $50-75 A WEEK INSTEAD OF $225/WEEK. OUR GOAL IS TO OFFER 5 SCHOLARSHIPS EACH WEEK, FOR 15 WEEKS OF SUMMER CAMP.