From Little Artist Big Artist, this month's Get Involved spotlight non-profit:
Established in 2005, Chula League creates opportunities for the arts in East Austin. We nurture the next generation of artists through our mentorship program, Little Artist BIG ARTIST , and advance the economic vibrancy of emerging and established Austin artists through our flagship event, the Cherrywood Art Fair . The 15th Annual Cherrywood Art Fair takes place Dec 10 & 11, 2016 at Maplewood Elementary. Volunteers of all ages and skills are needed to produce this beloved annual holiday event. Sign-up to volunteer here .
We are proud that proceeds generated from the Cherrywood Art Fair fuel our Little Artist BIG ARTIST program. Little Artist BIG ARTIST (LaBA) is a unique, completely free, after school arts mentoring program for elementary school children in East Austin. Professional artists mentor fifth and sixth graders for 10 weeks, teaching them how to turn an idea into art, and art into a business. Since 2007, Little Artist BIG ARTIST has paired working artists with 174 children within eight different East Austin elementary schools.
We will grow from four to six schools this coming year. Govalle and Barbara Jordan Elementary Schools will join Allison, Blackshear, Maplewood and Oak Springs as Little Artist BIG ARTIST partner schools. On average between 80 and 90% of the children in these schools are considered economically disadvantaged.
Big Artist’s guide their Little Artist to envision, plan, and create at least two pieces of artwork. The children keep a journal documenting their experience and prepare their artwork for professional exhibition. The program culminates with a gallery exhibition showcasing the Little Artist creations alongside the work of their professional artist mentors. An opening reception celebrates their achievements with friends, family, and community. The 2017 LaBA Spring Art Show will be held April 27 – May 22, 2017 at the Dougherty Arts Center. Little Artist artwork is auctioned at the following December Cherrywood Art Fair. The auction sales are donated back to their school’s art program, providing a very real sense of accomplishment for the Little Artist involved.
Interested in becoming a BIG ARTIST? Be one of today’s ARTISTS mentoring tomorrow’s CREATIVES! Learn how – apply to be a Big Artist here .
LaBA Fun Facts
● Since 2007, 91 Big Artists have mentored 174 Little Artists
● Program has grown from one school in 2007 to six elementary schools in 2017
● Little Artist artwork auction sales have raised over $5100 for their school art programs
● Big Artists and Little Artists both show their work at the LaBA Spring art show
● Big Artists receive a stipend for materials and transportation but also volunteer their time and talent
● Spanish translators are available to families learning English as a second language
● Chula has awarded over $84,000 in grants, services and programming to East Austin neighborhoods and schools Empowering children is the heart and soul of Little Artist BIG ARTIST. We strive to offer young children a place to dream about their future and see first hand how to create a successful path forward. The unique opportunity to develop creatively and engage in a meaningful, positive relationship with an adult builds confidence, advances problem-solving skills and strengthens a sense of purposefulness and self-efficacy.
