artMOBILE (since 1995)

artMOBILE is the New Bedford Art Museum’s signature summer youth arts outreach program.  This unique, free art program has delivered museum educators, art supplies and lessons to 20 community sites via 2 PURPLE vehicles since 1995 - one year before the museum opened its doors in 1996.

Two museum educators on each vehicle meet children at four sites per day for two hours of art learning and making. Equipped with portable masonite boards for a work surface, art materials and well-developed lessons, museum educators facilitate dynamic art activities developed based on exhibits at NBAM. 

artMOBILE activities are free, open to the public and designed for youth ages 6 and up.  More than 10,000 youth visits have been recorded since the inception of the program.  Each summer the artMOBILE buses visit diverse community sites, including city parks, New Bedford Public (summer) Schools, and youth centers.

 

Invest-in-Kids (since 1998)

Invest-In-Kids After School Programs
Since 1998 NBAM has conducted after school art programs sponsored* by the City of New Bedford’s “Invest-In-Kids” (IIK) initiative.  NBAM after school programs are developed thematically around current and past exhibits at the museum.  In addition to in-class art instruction and exercises, the after school art museum students visit other art, historical and cultural venues during walking tours in downtown New Bedford.  NBAM’s youth art education programs are an integral part of the museum’s mission to “engage the public in experiencing, understanding and appreciating art” 
Enrollment in Invest-In-Kids sponsored programs at the museum follows strict criteria set in the City of New Bedford’s Invest-in-Kids Initiative – schools that do not offer comprehensive after school programming are mandatory audiences. More than 500 city youth have participated in NBAM’s art programs funded by IIK since 1998.

 

artMUSed! (1998~2009)

This after school program was designed for 4th & 5th graders interested in learning different art styles and techniques, then applying what they’ve learned in their own art. The basic concepts of this model program were incorporated into today’s “After School Art Detectives” program.

 

Junior Docent (2002~2009)

This after school program focused on teaching middle school youth (5th – 8th grade) museum docent skills in addition to developing their own art style.  Exhibits at the museum serve Jr. Docents as subjects for presentation skill building, including public speaking, critiquing and research about artists, mediums, and techniques. 

 

SuMmerART (2002~2009)

NBAM recruited school-year IIK participants who wanted to continue learning and experiencing art  during the summer for NBAM’s in-museum program. Smaller class size allowed SuMmerART students to frequently visit other art venues in downtown New Bedford and work on large – scale projects. A functional cardboard chair is one example of the dynamic projects created during SuMmerART. 2007.

After School Art Detectives (2009 to present)

NBAM ‘s new after school program theme combines aspects of artMUSed! and Junior Docent programs to peak students’ interest in art that’s in other-than- art-venue settings, banks, hospitals, libraries and more.  Participants art reflect the variety of art viewed at locations in the immediate downtown New Bedford area. Elementary “After School Art Detectives” students completed shape and grid designs, 3D structures made with Model Magic & toothpicks and large interpretations of John James Audubon’s Birds of America prints in “elephantfolio” size. Middle school students completed include interactive paintings, repeat designs and altered books.

*Additional FY10 after school funding support was also provided by Bank of America and the Mass Cultural Council’s LCC initiative.

New Bedford Art Museum Educators
 Sheila Duarte Andrade
 Roger Rouleau
Brooke Mullins Doherty
Caroline Doherty
Germana Rodrigues
 Erin Shoesmith.

 New Bedford Art Museum Youth Program Coordinator
Sheila Duarte Andrade