This innovative program provides a contemporary arts education and appreciation to underserved third graders in Title I elementary schools where visual arts education has been substantially reduced or eliminated altogether due to lack of funding from the Los Angeles Unified School District. The curriculum - designed specifically for this purpose by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and delivered entirely by NCJW/LA volunteer art educators - incorporates slides, art books, art history discussions, related hands-on activities and field trips. Classes are provided as a 13-week program through the school year to over 500 third-grade students.
Art Pals enables children to improve reflective thinking skills by looking at, creating and discussing art. Children discover a clearer understanding of contemporary arts and its relationship to their lives. Now after almost 20 years, Art Pals is facilitated at five Title I elementary schools in the San Fernando Valley. Over 13-weeks, this innovative program provides a contemporary arts education and appreciation to underserved third graders in Title I elementary schools where visual arts education has been substantially reduced or eliminated altogether due to lack of funding from the Los Angeles Unified School District. The curriculum was designed specifically for this purpose by the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and modified by NCJW/LA volunteer Art Educators. The lessons incorporate slides, art books, art history discussions and a related hands-on activity.
Art Cards are designed from the art created by Art Pals students. Selected artwork is used to create note cards, the sales of which are used to support the Art Pals program as well as Ben's Books. Art Cards are sold in packages of 10 for $15; each set includes 5 unique designs.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
To purchase Art Cards, please click here
Ben's Books, a fund affiliated with the Art Pals program of NCJW/LA, is dedicated to promoting art appreciation, literacy and creativity in children. Donations to Ben's Books are used to purchase a variety of developmentally diverse pop-up and illustrated books, which are then donated to pediatric departments in hospitals and free clinics all over Los Angeles as well as Elementary School libraries where Women Helping Children Programs are provided. To make a donation, please contact ncjwla@ncjwla.org and note "Ben's Books Donation" in the subject line, or mail a check payable to NCJW/LA.