This past June, we celebrated our second birthday! As we inched toward that milestone, I took time to reflect back on why I created Parcel Arts, how we’re currently upholding our three principles, and how we can drive our focus in the future. Since we hold these principles near and dear, I’d like to share them with you.
- Create accessible art making experiences where all participants feel inspired to explore their creativity.
- Create a learning atmosphere that fosters community and the growth of meaningful relationships.
- Support teaching artists with new opportunities, professional development opportunities, and fair wages.
You’ll notice that we don’t call them missions or goals, and we do that with intention. They are not something we strive to complete and check off our list. These are the three building blocks that our instructors and I focus on every day, and we are constantly evolving to meet them. We must continually communicate with our communities and evaluate our practices to make sure that we’re meeting their needs and exceeding their expectations. The same goes for the arts–the art world is constantly evolving and changing, which is incredibly exciting. We are always trying to stay abreast of those changes and share that excitement with you!
We’ve also just launched a new and exciting initiative called PA Apprenticeship Program. This joins emerging teaching artists with our lead teaching artists, so they can gain in-depth experience fostering community through the arts. All of our apprentices are compensated for their time and will become lead teaching artists at the end of the program.
We would love to hear more from you, your thoughts and ideas, as we grow. As always, never hesitate to reach out to us! We’re here for you!
