Andrew Raeside, Art and Music Program Coordinator
Spaulding Youth Center, Tilton
Arts Based Prevocational Training
School Population: about 50 special needs students
Length of Program: ongoing
Target Grades: even our most disabled students are able to participate
Budget: $2,700.00
Personnel: 1+ visiting artists
Goals/Objectives: To develop work skills as s well as creative thinking and self-esteem
Assessment: The students are assessed on their abilities to perform vocationally.
Description: About 12 students are served in a prevocational workshop setting. The students are all mentally disabled and range in age from 14 to 21. The arts are integrated into each student's prevocational goals by providing them with an opportunity to produce creative arts projects to be sold in the workshop. Each student is provided with access to weaving, handmade paper processes, and a clay studio. Visiting artists are contracted to teach the students and staff how to make art products that are salable. The works are then sold in the workshop, or other venues when possible. The artists are contracted through VSA Arts NH and the NH State Council on the Arts program, Arts in Education. In the weaving program, students make loom-woven material that is then made into hats, scarves, vests, etc. Also, the students make hand-woven tapestries that have been shown in public places around the state. The weaving project and products were on display at the May, 1999 VSA arts international conference in Los Angeles. The handmade paper project produced over 500 Christmas cards that were distributed to people on the Spaulding mailing list. The clay project produced mainly beads and necklaces.
Mr. Raeside is willing to be a mentor/resource to other educators.
He will also help support other educators' initiatives by facilitating visitations
Contact:
Andrew Raeside, Arts and Music Program Coordinator
Spaulding Youth Center
Box 189
Tilton, NH 03276
(603) 286-8901
fax: (603) 286-8650
email:andyr@s-y-c.org
