By Kimberly Paulk, SHARECharlotte.com, a free, easy and local website that makes it easy to learn about and engage with our local nonprofits.
“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artistwhen you grow up” – Pablo Picasso
Art threads its way through our lives in unexpected ways. Think back – has there been a time when the arts made a difference for you? Did painting or drawing help you deal with a particularly rough time in your life? Did a musical performance touch you? Maybe the ability to pick up a guitar and strum a basic tune delighted your kid and make you the hero (even briefly) of your 10 year old’s social circle.
Those may be small and personal moments, but as one of the largest providers of art instruction in the Southeast, Community School of the Arts (CSA) thinks big. Behind all of the classes, concerts, workshops, camps and lessons you’ll find at their 14 locations is the driving belief that quality art instruction can transform lives. Working hard to make sure that instruction is available to all kids in a basic tenet of their work.
Through Orchestra in Schools (OIS) they give students in three low-income elementary schools free violin instruction twice a week. In ArtsReach, over 400 students per year receive free music and visual arts classes in community centers and schools around Mecklenburg County. CSA also offers financial aid to reduce tuition to some of their private lessons and group classes. All of this outreach brings our community that much closer toward the goal of making arts education available to everyone.
Sound interesting? CSA was featured in a SHARE video recently, which gives you a brief look at the difference they make in the community.To learn more or check out upcoming concerts visit SHARE Charlotte, and read about the fun volunteer days coming up.
May Volunteer Day (May 7)
June Volunteer Day (June 4)
Help out at the CSA offices on either of these dates. Kids age 10 and up are welcome to attend when accompanied by a parent/adult. Projects will occur between 10-2pm and will vary by month, based on CSA’s current needs, but may include assembling a mailing, data entry, and prepping for upcoming art classes.
