Small gifts of time, talent or financial resources can make a big difference in school arts programs — especially when we all pitch in. Enjoy supporting arts learning at your child’s school in one or more of the following ways:
Research, plan and/or chaperone for arts-related field trips
Volunteer to create/install bulletin boards or other exhibit spaces
Donate arts-related books or other media materials to the school library
Attend school arts performances — even when your child is not performing
Pay (or offer to simply do the shopping) for arts-related supplies
Invite friends, family and neighbors to school art exhibits and performances
Share information on arts events and organizations happening in the community with school art teachers
Volunteer to assist with art projects in the classroom (and school clubs)
Donate funds dedicated to professional development for arts teachers
Volunteer to plan, coordinate and/or execute art exhibits and other events
Suggest community partnerships that might benefit schools and businesses/other organizations
Donate arts-related items you’re no longer using at home (such as musical instruments)
Offer to fund an arts-related field tip to visit a museum or see a theater, dance or music performance
Talk to art students about your own arts-related interests, hobbies or career
Donate art storage items such as cabinets, shelves and crates
Volunteer time to sew costumes, paint sets and more
Stay informed about arts education issues and let legislators know the arts matter in our schools
Support creative play at home with time, space and materials for making visual art, theater and more
Give arts-related gifts such as subscriptions to arts magazines dealing with teacher areas of interest
Help arts teachers develop and share their wish lists of needed materials
Photograph student art to display on the school website
Volunteer to read arts-related books during storytimes
Share interesting articles you come across about arts news, education, policy and more
Donate gift cards teachers can use at art supply stores
Collect supplies arts teachers are looking for (such as newspapers for paper mache)
Volunteer to arrange guest speakers/guest performers in the arts
Let administrators and board members know you value arts education
When in doubt, just ask. And remember to thank and compliment your child’s art teachers when you admire their work. Encouragement and appreciation can be the finest gifts of all.
–Lynn
Note: If you’re an arts teacher or parent with other ideas and suggestions on supporting school arts programs, please share them with fellow readers in the comment section below
Coming up: Arts camps for fall/winter break
Artwork featured in this post is from the PCH Kids Art collection, available through Phoenix Children’s Hospital at www.pchkidsart.com. The collection includes art prints, all occasion cards, holiday cards and more — with proceeds benefiting the PCH Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
