Introduction

As early as the founding years of the Art League, Mrs. Corkran arranged for artists to work with disadvantaged children through the Children’s Beach House in Lewes. Today, in partnership with many organizations, the Art League sends artists throughout Sussex County to leverage the arts to enhance the quality of life for many. A special focus is working with children and elderly adults who do not have the resources to travel or take RAL classes. For many, this experience opens up a new world of opportunity for creative expression

At Risk Youth

In collaboration with First State Community Action Agency, the Rehoboth Art League sends artists to various community centers and schools throughout Sussex County to bring art activities and art education to children who live in economically challenged communities.

Through art the children learn to creatively solve problems, to express themselves in new ways, and to discover something good about themselves. Annually over 200 children participate in this program.

Aspiring Young Artists

The Rehoboth Art League is committed to teaching art technique and encouraging art inspiration with youth. (Our childrens 2012 Summer Camps brochure will be available early 2012.) Working with over 20 schools in Sussex County, the Rehoboth Art League features the work of aspiring artists from grades K-12 and provides scholarships for continuing arts education with the Art League.

In addition the Rehoboth Art League provides art programming within the school through artist in residence programs, and after school activities. Teachers partner with the Art League to develop specialized programming to suit their needs.

Elderly Seniors

In collaboration with several assisted living communities, the Rehoboth Art League sends artists to reach out to older seniors who love art, but are no longer able to travel to participate in the arts. There is a great sense of pride and joy when a person whose physical abilities are limited, is able to engage in art and create something wonderful.

Domiciles Project

The Domiciles project, inspired by artist Alan Tuttle, is a new and innovative initiative to engage the community in an art conversation.  Particularly, focused on youth, this project leverages doors painted by Tuttle to inspire various art forms.   The output of this artistic endeavor would be writing compositions, videos, music, theater, and other visual and 3D art exhibitions developed by the students who participate in the project.  Initially this project is targeted for schools in Southern Delaware, but the vision is to expand it nationally.

The first phase of this endeavor will culminate with a solo show in May of 2012 which will include all completed doors as well as other works by the artist. There will be additional pilot projects over the next few years to refine both the presentation and guidelines.

The program was created by Alan as a service project to engage the community in art and artistic discourse.

The project started with doors being placed in the first of the targetted schools. The first school to receive a door was the Jefferson School. Read more.

Expanding Arts in the Community for Youth

Community interest in this program is expanding, and the RAL is being asked to provide additional art programming in more locations. Knowing the impact the arts can have on children to help them with the academic performance and obtain skills to help them cope in life, the RAL believes that an ongoing, sustainable visual arts outreach program will make a tremendous difference in the lives of these children.

Therefore, the RAL is seeking support to help expand the visual arts outreach program to a sustainable year around program that not only impacts the children, but the community in which they live. A sustainable visual arts outreach program would include:

• Year around, multi-location art classes at low or no cost for youth in “at risk” neighborhoods

• Consistent engagement with the youth over long periods of time; nurturing talented artists by providing supplemental training

• Community involvement with the children and their art through community art projects and exhibitions

• Measured outcomes to ensure program is having the impact intended

• Supplement public school arts programs to ensure alignment with standards in art education

You can help support our outreach programs by making a donation today!

Thank you!