What We Do
Mobile Art Enrichment
The Arts Bus is a former school bus re-imagined and customized into a mobile art studio, makerspace, classroom, puppet factory & theatre, and creativity lab!
Wrapped in bright green and yellow, filled with art supplies and artistic guides, The Arts Bus travels year-round to creative children throughout Vermont at afterschool programs, summer camps, schools, daycares, preschools, libraries and public events.
Through our Programs, we reach children of every age and meet them where they are at — geographically, and developmentally — with the wonderful world of art!
Programs
Ever After Kids
Our largest program is the award-winning Ever After Kids Program we began in 2019. The program is based on acceptance of two systemic facts: 1) there will FOREVER be children in AFTER care programs; and 2) quality art education will ALWAYS be limited in school budgets.
Through this program, The Arts Bus bridges the opportunity gap by offering programs free of charge to children who have no other quality art enrichment outside of public schools, working in partnerships with afterschool programs, summer camps, schools, art centers & children’s care providers.
During the school year, The Arts Bus creates 25-28 projects in 10+ mediums that we teach in classes and through kits, providing every child in afterschool programs with a wide spectrum to explore and express their creative ideas each week. Our current routine includes over 500 children in 17 schools and 7 school districts in Central Vermont.
During summer, The Arts Bus travels to 8-10 summer camps with super spectacular 3-4 day progressive-development workshops and immersive art experiences, typically seeing over 500 children throughout Vermont.
Art From The Start
For Vermont’s youngest artists under 5 years old, this program is focused on starting life with color, sound, flavor, smells and feeling!
Traveling to daycares, preschools, libraries and parent-child centers, The Arts Bus explores art through the senses with puppets & percussion, painting with hands & feet, making sock stuffies, and reading & coloring together.
New RouTEEN
With fine motor skills development in arts of interest, this tween-teen age focused program explores the arts of resin, personal styles, robots, solar-power, and S.T.E.A.M. projects blending science, technology, engineering art and math!
Chartered Course
The Arts Bus provides workshops, art medium study series, and customized art enrichment to public, private and alternative schools, including stage productions, puppet factory & theatre, song writing & production, and fine/visual arts.
Together with our hosts, we create a custom curriculum for the artventure together.
Circling Community
Building community is a work of art, and The Arts Bus can be counted on to be a part of it! Each year the beloved bus travels to towns throughout Vermont to promote summer reading at public libraries, celebrate town events, add family-fun to festivals and even parade around town!
Mediums
Resins
3D Building
…just some of our favorites…..
Acrylic Flow
Mosaics
Live Stage &
Puppet Theatre
Woodcraft
….and always MORE to EXPLORE!
Paper
Music
Clay Play
Wearable Art
Edible Art
Puppet Factory
Impact
The impact of The Arts Bus is measured today by the number of children we reach and inspire. The exponential impact of empowering their potential will be measured, seen, heard & felt in the future!
“Working with The Arts Bus over the years has been an incredible experience. Every visit sparks curiosity, growth and exploration — not just for the children, but also for the staff as well. The Arts Bus consistently delivers engaging, site-specific programming, resulting in high-quality projects that children are proud to share. The Arts Bus brings a sense of joy, connection and collaboration, uplifting both the kids and program it touches. If you’re considering partnering with The Arts Bus - don’t hesistate. It’s an investment in creativity and community.”
EXPONENTIAL
POTENTIAL!
(click to view)
The Arts Bus proudly maintains a Platinum Seal of Transparency at Candid where our annual business plan, operating results & financials are available.
“The Arts Bus is OnePlanet’s longest and most significant community partner....and for good reason! The Arts Bus fosters creativity, curiosity, problem solving, and self-confidence in a positive, high energy environment that our kids (and staff) LOVE!
Each week of the school year, The Arts Bus rolls up to our 8 Afterschool Programs bringing engaging, thematic arts enrichment activities to our kids. In the summer months, our 6 Summer Camps are fortunate enough to have a full week of the bus at each camp. During this special time, campers take a deep dive into a topic and mediums, creating true masterpieces! Genny and her team are truly a gift to our region and our young children who would not otherwise have access to such wonderful opportunities.
We cannot wait to see what the bus is bringing next!
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