The Art Experience uses art as an engine of economic recovery and increased opportunity.

Neighborhood schools face increasing cutbacks, and teachers are asked to do more with less. To balance their limited budgets, many districts have reduced or eliminated arts programming.

Yet the arts are essential for young students. In art class, children learn the essential skills that will help them compete in a global economy. They don’t just learn to draw or paint, they develop spatial reasoning, abstract thinking, and learn creative problem solving. They need these skills for any career, including engineering, medicine, and entrepreneurship.

It’s why Einstein said “the greatest scientists are artists as well.”

Our Community Art Lab allows more schools to offer art in their classrooms without the expense of a full-time, dedicated space and staff. We provide all of the tools and materials at no cost to the schools. The "lab" refers to our manner of service delivery - carefully observing what takes place in the classroom setting, watching, learning from youth, and adjusting objectives as we mentor them in project-based design thinking. Gradually we allow them to lead the direction of project tasks. Community is what we're about, that's why youth experience what it's like to have their community gather around them, not only to teach and guide, but also to listen and learn from the youth. Interns, school/agency staff, arts instructors and local businesses, youth and their families, engage in a reciprocal relationship, where everyone learns, everyone benefits!

This pop-up art studio began in Pontiac, MI. Now, we are ready to expand the Community Art Lab to reach even more youth, including those in special education programs, and youth served by health and human service agencies. We need your help to empower and enrich the lives of more students through art education.

Your donations will fund the following for our Community Art Lab initiative:

• Art tools and supplies
• Art teachers' and art therapists' wages

Per student supply rates are $1.25 - $10, depending on the art project. A donation of $25, for example, can cover basic supplies for one workshop serving 20 students.