Youth Art Programs

The JCC's art program offers an environment devoted to children's art; a special place where children's imaginations and endeavors are acknowledged and supported. The JCC art experience gives your children more than just a chance to create a piece of work. It gives them a window to the world of color, shapes, textures and forms and the opportunity to work in an environment rich in resources, as well as in encouragement and support.

Our Art Philosophy

We use a set of guiding principles in our Art Room to assist us in planning our curriculum and interacting with the students. The following well-known educators and their philosophies have inspired us the most.

Viktor Lowenfeld considered the art process in a global context ' contributing to many facets of a child's creative and mental growth. These facets include facilitating self-expression, promoting independence, encouraging flexible thinking and facilitating social interaction, as well as developing aesthetic awareness.

At the JCC, children are encouraged to work independently as artists have done since time began. This self-determined work gives children the opportunity to learn as they work and to set as their own standard the results of their best efforts. Children are also encouraged to help each other. They are taught to expect others to work differently and to support and appreciate those efforts. With the children's permission, we display their work for the education and enjoyment of others, but we refrain from entering into art competitions and we never grade their work.

Edith Kramer was an art therapist who believed that art develops a child's personality in ways that are ego-building and gratifying.

Blanche Jefferson believed grading to be inconsistent with the creative process since the work of children is so closely tied up with their feelings, ideas and personal experiences.

Frank Wachowiak believes that a good art program needs a dedicated teacher. The teacher is the prime catalyst and bridge builder in an art program, and it is the teacher's responsibility to develop a climate of affection and permissiveness, of order and rationale, and of excitement and creativity.

At the JCC, we are committed to the importance of art in children's lives. We also believe children should spend time away from the current pop culture icons and instead be exposed to art from different times and cultures. Most importantly, we try to instill in children that people are important, what they do is important, and how we get along with each other is important.