ArtBridge currently serves 10 locations involving different types of housing: long-term shelters, short-term shelters, transitional living apartments, women’s shelters and psychiatric centers. Our program serves children from indigent, diverse, multi-cultural backgrounds.
ArtBridge and Education
ArtBridge emphasizes education as a means to overcome the cycle of homelessness. With the help of supporters, ArtBridge aids students in attending private schools for underprivileged children and art classes at The Glassell School of Art. ArtBridge’s backpack project, which provides students art supplies to continue art making after departing from the shelters, also stresses the value of and encourages education. ArtBridge has connected children who display dedication and excitement for learning to funding for scholarships to both summer art classes and to year-round private schools for underprivileged children.
ArtBridge Photography Projects
Many homeless children do not have baby pictures that survive the moves and upheavals of being homeless. These children are not able to see their beginning as a singular being.
In 2006, ArtBridge began incorporating photography at some of the shelters we serve. The culmination of the project in 2009 was an exhibit and celebration party honoring the children and their beautiful images. This event, entitled A View From a Bridge, was held at the Downtown Public Library. The children continued using their photography skills on field trips in 2009. During the photography project, ArtBridge led photography trips to the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, the Houston Zoo, Bayou Bend, Memorial Park and Herman Park. While learning photography skills and responsible behaviors, the children expanded their worlds in their exploration of exciting and educational parts of Houston.
ArtBridge Special Projects
ArtBridge also organized a meeting with members of the Houston Texans professional football team and adopted a family in need during the Christmas season. The programming provided by ArtBridge starts with simple art supplies, but extends to creating lasting relationships with children and their families.
ArtBridge enables each child to realize his or her importance. Throughout the art making process, facilitators give individual attention to children and foster healthy relationships. ArtBridge acts as a safety net for the children by making referrals for their educational, medical and psychological needs. The goal of the program is to break the cycle of poverty for these children and help them build self esteem through the realization and development of their talents. Developing educational goals and healthy habits helps ArtBridge students learn self-worth and have positive plans for their lives.
Artwork
