ArtCenter Manatee
Visual Arts Education
Adults
We make art accessible to everyone regardless of age, background or experience level through classes, exhibits, events and a gift shop featuring the handmade work of local artists
We offer over 400 visual arts classes every year to over 3,200 adults aged 16 to over 80. Our 40-45 instructors, who are professional artists, have diverse backgrounds and methods of teaching to satisfy the learning styles of our students. Based on evaluations completed after each class, our classes and instructors receive high approval ratings. Repeat attendance and positive feedback are also indicators of class success.
Visual arts education has been proven to encourage creative thinking, increase engagement, relieve stress, boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment, all of which improve quality of life for our students, their families and our community.
Children
We make art accessible to everyone regardless of age, background or experience level through classes, exhibits, events and a gift shop featuring the handmade work of local artists.
Research shows that children exposed to arts education are more engaged students, increasing overall performance, reducing behavior issues and drop-out rates and building a future generation of workers and leaders who are more creative, out-of-the box thinkers
Arts & Healing – Adults
We make art accessible to everyone regardless of age, background or experience level through classes, exhibits, events and a gift shop featuring the handmade work of local artists.
We offer six, 5-wk sessions of our Arts & Healing Program to adults of any age who are experiencing mild to moderate loss issues. Research shows that those suffering from memory loss issues are able to reconnect to themselves and others through participation in the arts, relieving a burden for families and other caregivers and allowing them to more fully participate in their own lives. It serves a growing and underserved population in our community
Lou, a former community leader, was brought to the pilot program by his wife, Betty. Lou would not leave Betty’s side or participate in daily activities. He did not interact with family or friends – he had retreated. After the first 3 sessions, Betty was able to leave Lou for the 2-hour 5-week class sessions. He started talking to the other students and instructors. At home, he began to interact with family. He started smiling and participating in his life again. He has attended every class since and this not only helps Lou, it gives Betty a chance to have lunch with friends, run errands or do whatever she likes for 2 hours a week. She and Lou now attend weekly swim classes together. Stress levels were greatly reduced for both Lou and Betty. Lou had found a place where he felt safe.
The Arts & Healing Program is offered free to all participants and fills a growing need to help an underserved population in our community.
