Legacy Sponsorship Grants 2010: Integrating Art Into the Summer Reading Program
Tables with art supplies and craft ideas were set up one day a week for six weeks at the Jackson, Lakefield and Heron Lake libraries. Children were allowed to come and go as they pleased throughout the day. A library staff member attended the table and assisted the children that needed help. Assorted materials were available at the table for creative expression. The children used glue, paint, glitter, art sand, dot painters, construction paper, yarn, wiggly eyes, cotton balls, tissue paper, and much more. The children were allowed to use their own ideas and create art of their very own. They made a fish, a rain stick, a starfish, an aquarium, a yarn octopus and a Japanese fish. The finished art went home with the child.
Art projects were also included at the weekly lunch bunch program at each of the libraries. Art supplies and ideas were offered and the children had fun with all the great art supplies. The art was theme related with the books that were read at the program.
Program Date and Time: June 21 through July 29, 2010
Number of Performances: 33 total
Number of Attendees: 583
Children ages 2 to 12 attended the programs and worked at the art tables.
We had several daycare providers bring their children each week.
Organizational Partners:
Big Buddies
Family Services Network
Elementary Schools in each town
Early Childhood and Family Education
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, pre-test/post-test, observations; End user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status
The children were allowed to make their own project with the supplies provided. The younger children really enjoyed the glue and paint.A mother commented how great it was that the children were allowed to do such "messy" crafts since she did not like to do them at home.We provided an opportunity for children to explore with art and create a project of their own. It was amazing to see all the different ideas expressed in the projects.I believe that by providing the art experience it has created an interest in art. The library also provided a display of art books such as origami, painting, drawing, sculpting, and other medias of art. The display was a huge hit with the children and the parents taking home large numbers of books.