This column is written and sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.
Over these last challenging months, Arlington Arts has been harnessing our community’s arts resources under the Arlington Arts at Home web page.
We also want to share how Arlington’s arts organizations are reaching out to all residents during the pandemic. One example is Arlington Arts Center’s partnership with the non-profit Bridges to Independence to bring creative options to the door-step of children in-need.
In their own words from their website, rather than allowing COVID-19 to stop their outreach work, here’s how Arlington Arts Center drew even closer to the community:
As the COVID-19 crisis has unfolded, Arlington Arts Center has continued doing what we do best: providing high-quality opportunities to explore, create, and be inspired by contemporary art and artists. A diverse array of online projects, classes, workshops, and virtual artist interviews, many offered at no charge, are currently available on our website.
Our goal is to provide thoughtful, engaging, and enlightening experiences that add value to our individual lives, and our collective existence.
Beyond the virtual realm, AAC has continued its partnership with Bridges to Independence, an organization that leads individuals and families out of homelessness and into stable, independent futures.
Prior to the lockdown, AAC was providing regular “Art Club” meetings for children in residence at Bridges to Independence. When that effort was derailed by COVID-19, AAC began delivering project kits complete with art supplies to keep the kids creatively engaged.
“During these uncertain times, Bridges to Independence’s youth have been able to depend on Arlington Arts Center. Our youth in shelter have been weighed down this year, and Arlington Arts Center has given them a creative outlet to shine through. This amazing group has provided bi-weekly interactive, fun art activities for all our youth in shelter. They understand that our families do not have basic art supplies and provide a new set each time. We are so thankful to have them as community partners!” — Alexandra Gavin, Youth Development Manager, Bridges to Independence.
Along with many other Arlington arts organizations, Arlington Arts Center also continues to offer a broad range of virtual activities.
For more information on arts offerings from Arlington’s arts organizations — everything from art-making projects to self-guided tours of our internationally acclaimed Public Art Collection — visit the Arlington Arts at Home webpage.