South Shore Arts

Since 1995, South Shore Arts has conducted a variety of nationally recognized award-winning educational outreach programs with area schools, as well as local public and private organizations. South Shore Arts strongly believes that the arts have a positive impact on the lives of children and young adults, both socially and academically. The role of the arts should not be underestimated in the educational process, for their effects are great. Some of the benefits of a student’s exposure to the arts include:

• increased test scores—according to a 1996 study by the College Entrance Examination Board, students of the arts consistently outperform peers with limited arts exposure on the SAT, scoring on average 48 points higher on verbal skills and 34 points higher on math;
• a stimulated desire to learn;
• increased knowledge and acceptance of other cultures;
• enhanced self-esteem and self-discipline.

Whether it’s a pre-school child discovering the ability to create, or a middle school youth leaning to make good choices, art is an excellent tool to investigate ideas and reflect personal values. Often, visual art projects take inspiration from classroom themes, music, performances, literature or art from the past.

Perhaps the best way to assess the value of the South Shore Arts everykid program and art classes is to ask the students.

Porter County Boys & Girls Club
Alyssa Essex, age 9, described the process of making an apple: “First you use purple; then blue; then red. Then, you rub it together with your finger. You can use black and white to make it feel sculpted.” Her favorite part: “And I like getting messy!”

Hobart YMCA
“I’m making a mask like the one my great-grandfather gave me when I was a little baby,” said Kayla Brown, age 7. “I’m African-American, so it’s a cool project for me. I want to learn more about my heritage.”

“You get to use your imagination and make a lot of different things with stuff you don’t have at home,” said Shawn Lauerman, age 7. Shawn had plans for his new mask: “I’m going to use it to scare my mom.”

21st Century Learning Program, Hammond
“I can show off my talents and it inspires me to be an artist when I grow up. Your art can tell a story about your life,” said Alexis Bustamante, age 9.

Drama Camp
During this year’s Summer Drama Camp, students learned what it’s like to put on a production. “We all had to use different voices. Mine was the hardest,” said Leslie Lopez, who played the Witch. “I had to use a scratchy voice.” Stephanie Zaccone started out shy, but soon found the courage to play the Lion. “We learned to be enthusiastic, to project and to block,” shared Cassidy Schwartz, who played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Even weeks after camp was over, Cassidy and Dana Handler, who played the Scarecrow, were still reciting their lines. “We have the whole play memorized,” Dana boasted