d'ARTSmart Community Outreach

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d'ARTSmart is the educational and art outreach program of the Center started in 1989 when 4 young people were referred to the d'ART Center for art classes as an alternative to being processed through the Juvenile Court system.

By the end of the series of classes, the presiding Juvenile judge realized that the youths had learned more than painting and drawing at the d'ART Center. He realized that the confidence and self worth that came with the planning execution and completion of new projects and newly realized skills were by products of art skills the first four learned. Additionally, their schools reported that the students success in art had spilled over to success in school. Since then the program has grown and flourished to become a major component in the Center's core program of art education.

The Center has partnered with the Norfolk School system to provide art classes at the Center for 3-5th graders from Bowling Park and for the last 10 years from Young Park Elementary School for three 2-week sessions through the year. Students become artists at the d'ART Center for each two-week session; they meet the artists, tour the Center, learn new skills and create art projects that are coordinated with the current exhibit. Additionally the Center has worked with ForKids and Park Place Child Life Center providing art classes, offer camp scholarships and building confidence, self discipline and creative thinking abilities with each art project.

In 2005-2006, MacAruthur Center was the major sponsor of d'ARTSmart with strong and generous support from the Norfolk Commission for the Arts and Humanities and the Virginian Pilot and Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Art doesn't transform. It just plain forms. ~ Roy Lichtenstein

DID YOU KNOW

Arts Education:

• Builds a school climate of high expectation, discipline, and academic rigor that attracts businesses relocating to your community.
• Strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success.
• Helps students develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting—skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
• Can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to destructive behavior and another way for students to approach learning.
• Provides another opportunity for parental, community, and business involvement with schools, including arts and humanities organizations.
• Helps all students develop more appreciation and understanding of the world around them.
• Helps students develop a positive work ethic and pride in a job well done.

(Business Circle for Arts Education in Oklahoma, Arts at the Core of Learning 1999 Initiative)