Corcoran's Art Reach program serves underserved communities with art education

All the hubbub about the Corcoran possibly selling its building and moving has overshadowed the fact that they do amazing things like serving underserved communities with arts education through ArtReach. Check out this student exhibit through June 24. (Saturdays are free at the Corcoran all summer long!)

ArtReach, the Corcoran’s community art program, is celebrating its 20th year of high-quality visual arts education for the youth in our community. The program extends the resources of the Corcoran Gallery of Art and the College of Art + Design to the diverse neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. Partnering with community organizations around the city, we provide after-school programs, summer classes, and workshops to underserved youth and their families. The program serves more than 300 students a year.
                               
Using the Gallery’s collection as a primary resource, ArtReach fosters creativity and visual literacy skills while helping students develop meaningful connections between art and their lives. During a semester, participants take field trips to the galleries to look at, discuss, and interpret works of art. Back in the studio, they experiment with a variety of art materials and methods to create their own artwork inspired by these experiences.

To celebrate the anniversary, the Corcoran is hosting the exhibition Expressions 2012: Celebrating 20 Years of ArtReach, on view May 30–June 24, 2012. The exhibition presents work made by current ArtReach students, including several who have participated in the program for many years.