(Editor’s note: The report was written last fall.)

Organization: Albert Lea Art Center

Project: Various children and youth art prorams.

Report: With this generous grant from the Freeborn County Communities Foundation, it is the Albert Lea Art Center’s goal to reach out to the children and youth of our community through collaborations with other youth oriented organizations, to teach and instill in them an appreciation for the arts.

Scheduled is the following:

Community Ed classes (2013-14, fall and winter sessions)

• “Let’s Draw and Paint,” (grades 1-6) with instructor, Beth Tostenson, local artist

Collaborations in the works:

• YMCA Kid’s Day Off Program/After School Adventures: Proposal extended to the Albert Lea YMCA to provide art classes at the YMCA for their Kid’s Day Off/After School Adventures programs. Class/project ideas included painting, drawing, seasonal art activities.

• Girl Scouts: Proposal extended to the local Girl Scout River Valleys organization to provide art classes/events to local troops either as an event or in pursuit of a badge. Class/project ideas include pottery, jewelry making, fashion design mosaic glass.

• Youth for Christ: In communication with the Youth for Christ organization to reach the middle school and high school-aged group through an art project/event. Class/project ideas include sectional art, mural art, pottery and an acrylic painting class.

• Community Based Service (CBL) program: A Riverland College student intern from this program would initiate and lead youth focused art classes/events at the Art Center.

Proposed classes at the Art Center for Youth:

• Acrylic painting class: Proposed art class for middle school students at the Art Center

• Storytelling class for upper elementary/secondary aged youth

• Picturing America: A core curriculum from the National Endowment for the Humanities that uses the richness of art to develop a panoramic view of American history. This series was donated to the Art Center by Peg Shelton, an Art Center instructor and long-standing member.

In addition to the above programs, the Albert Lea Art Center sponsors or participates in the following yearly events for the children and youth of our community:

• Albert Lea Art Center Student Art Show (elementary/secondary student showcased art show)

• Family Fun Festival at Northbridge Mall (child’s art projects at Art Center booth)

• Heritage Festival exhibition at Northbridge Mall

• Wind Down Wednesday and Streetscape Saturday, face painting for kids

• A $500 volunteer-funded scholarship to the Albert Lea High School graduating class