Why The Arts?
Community healing
The arts heal, and influence communities disproportionately impacted by systemic racism, violence, and suppression. When we come together and join forces, we create a bond that is far more powerful than hate.
Intersectionality
The arts intersect with virtually everything! Oftentimes we incorporate STEM, civics, nature, animals, reading, nutrition, free play, design, and construction into our lessons.
Critical thinking
Children who are exposed to the arts have a more well-rounded view of the world and can think outside of the box. We include questions and curiosity into our curriculum to teach the importance of unique thinking!
Fine Motor Skills
The movement of holding fine arts utensils, playing with musical instruments, dancing, and acting out scenes engages fine motor skills in children of all ages and abilities. We take an ergonomic approach when working with children who are neurodiverse and/or have physical disabilities.
Civic Engagement
The arts encourage children to get involved and bring creativity to advocacy. Providing a focus, catalyst, or space for civic participation can be achieved through teaching the creative process.
Child Development
Through projects with others, we encourage children to speak up (speech development), share, and develop their own personalities.
Confidence
Creating art helps an individual validate his or her uniqueness, resulting in self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. We love seeing kids that come in shy, or anxious, become the most talkative and outgoing of the group!
Social skills
We encourage teamwork and creative conversations during our projects, as arts can enhance social resilience and promote goal-directed behavior.
Inclusivity
All have a place in creativity, and we strive to meet each child’s uniqueness and needs.
Identity
The arts have been shown to support a sense of social identity. The arts allow us to find ourselves, who we are, what we care about, and what our dreams and visions are.
Safety
No matter where you come from, or what difficulties you face, All Access Arts is a safe place.
Representation
To dream it, you have to see it, and when we bring volunteers of all backgrounds, kids have positive role models to lead the way.
Kindness
Positive messaging and compassion are at the heart of everything we do, we hope to make the world a little bit kinder everywhere we go!
Social-emotional learning
We frequently bring puzzles, books, and art activities that explain emotions, and how to handle them, so children are equipped with healthy coping mechanisms.
Community
Art brings us together to heal, grow and thrive. Everything we do is for the community, by the community, and one hundred percent grassroots.
Activism
The fight for change needs creativity! With age-appropriate and non-partisan lessons on social change and justice, we inspire those we serve to use their voices for the good!
Leadership
We encourage older kids and youth to lead the activities and practice what it takes to be a great community organizer.
Intergenerational
All Access Arts may be focused on kids, but we are for all ages! We love when our teens and adults join in on the fun.
Reading & fostering literacy
Several of our projects are surrounded or themed by a diverse selection of children’s books. We aim to make reading fun and hope that in doing so we foster literacy skills.
Conservation
Frequently, we set up outdoor activities to get some sunshine and talk about nature and animals. When we focus on these subjects, we make sure to touch on why conservation is critical, and thanks to Bow Seat Ocean Awareness, we do a lot of marine biology-themed activities.
Equity
We aim to bridge the gap between the wealthy surrounded and well-rounded in arts education and those who need the arts the most, lower income and underresourced communities.
Equality
There is truly no difference between a child from Beverly Hills, and Sacramento, as each should have the same potential to succeed. We live in a world where our zip code dictates our resources and exposure, and we hope to bring the magic of arts and steam to those who didn’t win the birth lottery.