This article was created for Victoria Foundation, and produced independently by Capital Daily. It was approved by Victoria Foundation before it was published. 

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With a mission to provide high-quality visual and performing arts training to young children in Victoria, artsREACH has given over 31,700 children the chance to build their creativity and express their individuality in the classroom. 

The non-profit organization offers a wide range of 60-90 minute sessions in public elementary schools, specifically targeting those identified as having a higher percentage of vulnerable families. Students have access to a quality education in the arts—taught by professional artists, actors and dancers—that is often too expensive for them to access otherwise.

Anne Nilsen, the board president of artsREACH and a retired teacher and vice principal in Victoria, notes how much inner city Victoria schools lacked extracurricular arts programs throughout her years of teaching. When artsREACH came to her school for the first time, her students were thrilled. 

“I always felt a little less than skilled in theatre. So I would bring in [artsREACH] and they would do drama classes with my kids, and they loved them. The teachers were always terrific,” said Nilsen.

The organization has an extensive list of of in-school and after-school workshops including drawing, painting, printmaking, clay sculpting, dance and theatre—all of which explore a variety of unique angles and themes. Drawing and painting classes this year are touching on diversity while the in-school theatre program is focused on teaching sustainability with puppets and props. 

Through the workshops, children are encouraged to express their individuality and build confidence and self-esteem, ultimately increasing their capacity to think critically and independently. Teachers, on the other hand, learn new techniques to incorporate into their classrooms by watching artist-instructors working with their students.

“Research tells us that children who have had an exposure to the arts build more independence and self-confidence. We’re in those areas [of work], and we really feel that it’s a benefit to students,” said Nilsen.

“We’re never short of schools asking us to come—even schools that aren’t on the vulnerable list.”

ArtsREACH recently received a grant from Vancity to provide a six-week after-school program with local Indigenous communities that will allow students to work and create art with clay. 

When working with the local Indigenous after-school program, Nilsen said the facilitators and child-care workers had great ideas on how to deliver the program to the children so artsREACH staff stepped back into a support role so they can eventually sustain the program on their own.

“[This] was a great learning experience for us all,” said Nilsen. “The art that comes out of that and the expressions from the kids is just incredible.”

Funds to cover the cost of workshops are raised through private donations, grants, sponsorships and fundraising events. All instruction and materials are provided at no cost to schools or participants, all thanks to the support of foundations such as BC Gaming, Victoria Foundation, and Vancity, as well as Panorama Rec Centre, Opus Art Supplies, Tea Cup Tree, among others. 

The organization is also looking for volunteers to join its board. 

“It’s very rewarding work. We’re always happy for more people who would like to volunteer to be on the board, who can collaborate and generate even more ideas for the program,” said Nilsen. 

Read more about artsREACH and its impact on Victoria public schools on the organization’s website.