KID smART, a program that introduces art in academic settings for students, has continued to deliver artistic content in the midst of school closures to K-8th graders through its Art Apart video series. Beginning on March 23, Art Apart has provided digital content to students that engage them in daily art activities from their homes. Some of the 64 videos include hands-on activities, read-aloud stories and poems, and movement exercises guided by KID smART professional teaching artists. To keep students involved in arts education and activities amid the cancellation of summer camps, Art Apart will continue through summer.

The mission of Art Apart is to transition students to digital learning in a fun and engaging manner. Each week, KID smART teaching artists and art coaches host video lessons that educate students on their area of artistic study and lead art activities exemplifying these disciplines. Activities include visual art, performance art, dance, music, and more.

In their first video, professional poet and visual artist Tiana Nobile gave a lesson on cut-up poems and gave a demonstration on how participants could create their own cut-up poems with household items incluuding scissors, glue, and old magazines or newspapers. In another lesson, arts coach and performer Samantha King read aloud Leonardo, the Terrible Monster, a story by author and illustrator Mo Willems, which teaches a lesson about being a good friend.

Art Apart is made possible through a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council. Additional funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works.

New videos are posted every weekday morning on KID smART’s YouTube channel, artist blog, and social media pages. Learn more about KID smART and Art Apart at http://www.KIDsmART.org.