Mystic Museum of Art, Education Dept, Wins Grant to Serve New London Youth

Mystic, CT – Mystic Museum of Art is the recipient of an $8,500 grant from the Frank Loomis Palmer Foundation, Bank of America Trustee. The grant monies will be utilized to deliver art programming to New London youth grades Pre-K to 12, both on site and at school sites,
 
MMoA’s Education Outreach Programs are the museum’s way of partnering with schools and social service agencies to contribute to the education and development of young people across the region. Programs give school-age youth access to experiential learning in art and literacy. 
 
According to an analysis conducted by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, only 43 percent of children in the lowest socioeconomic status visited museums in their kindergarten year, compared to 65 percent of children in the highest. This disparity in access to learning resources contributes to the “knowledge gap” between students of differing socioeconomic status. MMoA utilizes grant funding, such as this one from Palmer Foundation, to reduce or alleviate the cost of youth programs. As a partner with schools and organizations serving large populations of low-income at-risk students, MMoA aims to help close the achievement gap.
 
Education Outreach Programs funded by the Palmer Foundation grant include Field Trips, Pop-Up Studio, Customized Group Programs, and Teacher In-Services.   Field Trips for grades Pre-K – 12 happen at MMoA. These two-hour staff-guided visits of MMoA galleries and studio exercise Common Core standards for speaking, listening, and writing using artwork as a catalyst.  Pop-Up Studio is a traveling educational class, available to Pre-K through 12th grade classes. Students discuss an artistic style or theme. They then create an artwork of their own using stylistic and compositional elements of the artist, technique or theme studied.   Additionally, teachers can work with MMoA’s education staff to tailor a visual arts program to their curricular focus.  Teacher In-Services are half- or full-day training sessions which equip teachers with tools to integrate art across their curricula. Teachers and program directors interested in programs such as these should contact Dawn Salerno, Deputy Director for Public Engagement: (860)536-7601 x209 or dsalerno@mysticmuseumofart.org
 
MMoA has been working with New London students for many years. Current partnerships  include Nathan Hale Arts Magnet and ISAAC (Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication). The grant of $8,500 is projected to serve 850 New London youth with quality arts education programming.

About Mystic Museum of Art  
Mystic Museum of Art inspires creativity and critical dialogue by engaging the regional community in the understanding, appreciation and practice of visual art.