Dear ASI Friends,
We write to send our warmest wishes of health and resilience to you and your families.
Like you, ASI is adjusting to the current circumstances that all of us are facing during this challenging time with COVOID-19. In line with the guidance provided by the city of Philadelphia we decided to shut down our Winter programs through March and all of our events through May. We will await to hear whether we will be allowed to open our offices and classrooms in April for our Spring semester.
While schools are closed, The School District of Philadelphia, several charter schools, and the Philadelphia Housing Authority are coordinating with the City’s Office of Children and Families to provide grab-and-go meals for children and youth throughout the city. A list of locations can be accessed here.
ASI Online
The ASI team is working behind the scenes sharing handouts and lesson plans each day on our social media. This crisis has underscored the educational disparities that we collectively strive to overcome using art. We are working on ways that we can support our community online during this time. While our classes will look different, we hope to continue to be a source of creativity and inspiration.
If you are interested in learning more about or participating in online classes, please complete this survey here.
Art Education Resources
As an arts foundation serving youth, we recognize that many of you are home with families dividing work and personal responsibilities. We wanted to take some time to reach out and share some resources we have available to bring art and light to our community these trying times.
- Art Activity Book – A book that contains more than 60 art project lesson plans for you and your children to explore together, adaptable for all ages and ranging in time commitment.
- 3-D Coloring Book – A 36 page coloring book with cut and fold pages to make 3-D art.
- “Everything Will Be Alright” Coloring Sheet – ASI believes that art making can be used to create solidarity within the community. Use this sheet to decorate your window with art to help keep the positive spirit alive.
- The Art Sphere blog is full of free hand outs and lesson plans from the past semester to help bring art into your lives during these unprecedented times.
If you use any of these handouts, please share on social media and tag us with @ArtSphereInc or use the hashtag #LoveArtSphereInc.
A Call to Volunteers
Art Sphere would be nothing without our dedicated team of volunteers who dedicate countless hours to our cause. In these times of uncertainty, one thing that is certain is the uplifting and healing power of art.
We are always looking for more volunteers to join our cause. We invite teachers, IT support, designers, video editors, and other volunteers to help us co-educate online! We are hopeful that this is an opportunity for the ASI community to emerge more resilient than ever.
Please contact us at volunteers@artsphere.com if you want to help out in any way.
We encourage you to prioritize care for yourself, your loved ones and your communities above all else and look at these challenging times as a call to nurture our inner lives, family ties, and sources of resilience. All of us at ASI appreciate your dedication and perseverance in the face of uncertainty.
We wish you wellness as we look forward to warmer and happier days ahead. Thank you for being part of our community.
Sincerely,
Kristin Groenveld
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