National Art Education Association

Locale 3: Public Schools Mott Adult Education Program, Flint, MichiganAuthor(s): Eleanor WoolfeSource: Art Education, Vol. 18, No. 9, Continuing Art Education for Adults (Dec., 1965), pp.17-18Published by: National Art Education AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3190654 .

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programs, panel discussions and work- shops at the Art Center for citizens who wish to learn more about urban design and renewal.

At the Walker Art Center, Sunday is family day. At 3 p.m. each Sunday there is a program for adults and another for children. The Teacher Cultural Refer- ence Series is sponsored by the Walker Art Center with the Minneapolis Insti- tute of Arts. Its purpose is to strengthen the bonds between school and museum. Art teachers are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the rich and varied re- sources of the two museums, and to actively participate in their programs.

"Great Ages of Art" is a yearly pro- gram of the Detroit Institute of Arts and the University Center for Adult Educa- tion. Courses, special lectures, concerts and films are correlated with a series of major exhibitions. Great Ages of Art began in 1964 with its wide array of events about The Renaissance. The sec- ond in this five-year study is devoted to The Baroque Era. This program is one of the most extensive and popular se- quence of events to date among the imaginative art programs being presented to adults.

The Milwaukee Art Center is the major art museum in the State of Wisconsin and is housed in one of the most exciting buildings in Wisconsin, Eero Saarinen's War Memorial Center. The works of art on display are just one of the pleasures at the Art Center. For adults, every Thursday evening there are talks in the galleries by artists and teachers who are especially knowledgeable in particular fields of art. After the gallery talks there are films or slide talks. Sunday afternoon programs offer films about art. All of these programs are open to the public free of charge. Theatre and film programs for children are offered on Saturday afternoons twice a month.

In addition to all free programs there are special activities for members. The 1965-66 series of Art History Seminars are devoted to "Masters of Environ- ment." They will explore the work of single artists who have contributed to man's daily surroundings. They and their work will be related to the spirit of the society in which they lived. There are fifteen sessions on Tuesdays at 10: 15 A.M., repeated at 1:45 and 8:15 P.M. Registration may be made by the month. The end of the 1965-66 series includes a tour to Chicago where one can experi- ence directly great examples of 20th century American environment.

The Milwaukee Art Center contributes to the LIVELY ARTS series of WMVS- TV, Educational Television. This year

the programs include an experimental project: the filming of individual Wis- consin artists at work.

Essential to the facilitating of the edu- cational program of the Milwaukee Art Center is the work of volunteer guides. In-service education of these guides in- creases the value of their service to the community and develops a core audience of interested and knowledgeable adults. The educational program for guides in- cludes briefings on the exhibits, work- shops which provide knowledge about art, and tours to other galleries. Last year the emphasis was upon workshops in media. This year the guides will be delv- ing into techniques of tour process. There will be sample tours and work sessions on the techniques of developing visita- tions into genuine art experiences. An in- tensive program with the Milwaukee Public Schools is being planned in co- ordinated curriculum tours. Development of this intensive training requires regular two-hour weekly meetings. Guides are also expected to attend the art history seminars.

Mary Jane Ward is in the Education Department of the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Genene Sindorf is in the Education Department of the Milwaukee Art Center, Wisconsin.

LOCALE 3: PUBLIC SCHOOLS Mott Adult Education Program, Flint, Michigan

Plank Seven of the Platform of the Na- tional Association for Public School Adult Education, "Life Enrichment for All Adults", provides the setting for adult art education under the guidance of public schools. It states that: "The program should provide opportunities for adults to complete those academic studies which lead to the mastery of the funda- mental processes; to develop creative, cultural, and appreciative abilities; and to acquire the specific knowledge and skill necessary to keep abreast of rapidly changing industrial processes. Emphasis should be placed on the development of a versatile, sequential program for adults, with evaluative criteria which have rele- vance to the needs of mature individuals and which are based on outcomes meas- ured in terms of favorable behavior change."

ELEANOR WOOLFE In Flint, adult art education is housed in many buildings. All schools in the city are community schools and most of them

have one or more of the over two hun- dred art or creative crafts classes offered each term to adults. As the fall 1965 season begins, 73 community schools and centers are serving the entire Mott Adult Education Program. The DeWaters Art Center is used by four branches of our art education program. It houses the community college classes; the classes of the Flint Institute of Arts whose galleries are in another portion of the building; the children's enrichment classes; and a number of the great variety of offerings of the extended school services program, The Mott Program of the Flint Board of Education. Classes are also offered to the adults of the Flint area through two private art groups and from time to time by at least four Michigan universi- ties as a part of their extension program.

The Mott Program offers a broad base of opportunities to the total population of the Flint community to stimulate interest, explore new media, develop latent talent and quicken awareness. This is attempted through a lecture discussion series; tours to adjacent Cranbrook, Detroit, Ann Arbor; and through classes. The 77 classes in art and more than 150 classes in crafts offered to over 5000 adult stu- dents this fall illustrates the encourage- ment offered at every level. If twelve or more people are interested, a class is formed, a room and teacher found, the specialized equipment provided and stu- dents of all ages are given the opportunity to learn.

Though the typical class is geared to the hobbyist there are sufficient oppor- tunities for the challenged student to advance or to become a serious artist. The Art Institute classes encourage stu- dents to pursue their chosen media under the guidance of most able instructors from acknowledged art centers such as Cranbrook and the universities.

A variety of exhibitions are offered to the adult through the gallery shows in which he is invited to participate. These exhibits vary sufficiently in level of achievement to challenge professional artists as well as developing talent. Visit- ing exhibits are selected to inspire the student to the highest level of his poten- tial, to introduce him to the works of great masters and works of contemporary artists, to broaden his horizons in the art world and to keep him conversant with the main streams of art.

The adult art classes in Flint have been completely integrated from their inception some twenty-five years ago. Social and economic integration as well as integration of ages, have enriched the experience of many students. The ex- treme example, perhaps, was a Family

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Art Workshop in which we counted five generations from one family.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Flint's adult education program is in- volvement with the total community. For instance, local nurserymen and landscape gardeners learn to display their merchan- dise attractively and at the same time introduce the public to a beautification program. Craft therapy is taken into local

hospitals and rest homes on a level be-

yond pattern copying. Hospitals are now able to release many patients from insti- tutions mentally stabilized; but in need of continuing emotional assurance to face the same environment that brought them to a point of imbalance in the first place. Communities must be prepared with an educational program that will fortify them. In Flint we have begun to tackle this problem and an art class has become an important part of the group experience they are receiving.

The parents' section of our Art for

Young Children class, which is manda- tory if the 31/2 year old is to be accepted, is based on the philosophy of experi- mental learning. The parent is encouraged through active participation to under- stand exploration, creativity, decision and discipline. In an adjoining room under the instruction of an experienced artist craftsman the mother works in the same medium as the child. Parents are intro- duced to work space, work clothes and adequate supplies and equipment. Many of these parents are sharing with their whole family their new awareness. Many have continued in art classes discover- ing latent abilities and creating interests to enrich their whole lives.

A number of workshops are a part of the Mott adult art education program.

The Family Art Workshop provides op- portunity for families to work together in a variety of art and crafts. The Crafts Workshop for Physically Handicapped Adults offers basic techniques for work- ing in all media. Small Crafts Workshops are designed to provide training in origi- nal crafts for Scout leaders, church activi- ties directors, teachers, camp crafts direc- tors, parents, and volunteers for hospitals and convalescent home employees. There are also workshops for florists' aides and teachers.

In addition three clubs are sponsored by the Arts and Crafts Department: the Flint Rock and Gem Club, the Advanced Movie Techniques Club, and the Leather- craft Guild. These clubs serve the greatly interested amateur and members attain a high level of competence. Eleanor Woolfe is the Coordinator of Art & Craft Department, Mott Adult Education Program, Flint, Michigan.

LOCALE 4: COMMUNITY ART CENTERS The LeMoyne Art Foundation

An outgrowth of the interest of citizens and drawing upon the resources of in- dividuals in local areas, the community art center is typical of the institutional development of art in large and small cities. Since World War II these centers have been developing at a rate that can not be estimated. More often than not they begin operations in old dwellings which are remnants of quiet small town beginnings. Special facilities and en- larged programs follow. The character of their development is closely related to

the nature of the community to which

they owe their existence. Community art centers are a significant influence on the art consumption of amateurs across the land.

The LeMoyne Art Foundation in Tal- lahassee, Florida, not yet two years old reflects community cooperation and effort. A core of citizens sparked the or- ganization with funds, a temporary home and a full-time paid director. The phe- nomenal growth of the center attests to the wisdom of this manner of beginning. The hub of activity is the gallery with its monthly changing exhibits featuring local artists. The center has been gen- erously supported by professional artists in the area, many of whom teach at the two local universities. Recently LeMoyne premiered a new series of paintings by internationally known artist, Karl Zerbe. Classes for adults and children, a lecture series, and special talks and tours for clubs and schools enrich art programs throughout the area. Service to smaller communities in a radius of 100 miles are continuous. At the present time program emphasis is upon the interested consumer in Tallahassee proper. As the center becomes stronger, this will be extended to special events for the sur- rounding cities and for the many artists living in the community. LeMoyne Art Foundation, like its counterparts in many cities, serves as a clearing house for com- munity activity devoted to development and improvement of the visual arts.

LOCALE 5: ACTIVITY DAY CENTERS A. Hospitality House in

Dallas, Texas

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