Star Journal staff

Youth art programs are springing up around the country, and Rhinelander is no exception. The benefits of allowing young people to be creative include increased problem solving skills, stronger interpersonal skills, and self-awareness and expression. Two Rhinelander organizations are teaming up to provide more opportunities for Northwoods children to explore their creative sides.

ArtStart and Old School Arts & Learning Center are seeking community feedback regarding their youth art programs. Parents, businesses and community members are invited to complete a short online survey.

Parents and their children who would like to participate can take the survey located at this link:  http://bit.ly/RhineArtsKids

Anyone else in the Rhinelander community may also participate by taking the survey here:  http://bit.ly/RhineArtsCommunity

In the fall of 2015, ArtStart and Old School began offering a series of art classes called “TGI-ArtFridays.” Six Friday sessions were offered free of charge, with an additional six Open Studio sessions offered free of charge at Old School Arts & Learning Center.

“Many parents were asking us if we offered art classes for kids or if we planned to so we did a few small pilot programs,” stated Melinda Childs, Development Director of ArtStart. “These programs were an overwhelming success and many of the participants were excited to have a creative outlet to compliment the various sports programs offered in the area. ArtStart is still a very small organization run mostly by volunteers but we are looking for ways we can meet this need successfully for the community.”

Several members of the 2016 Leadership Oneida County (LOC) class have partnered with ArtStart and Old School to develop an online survey to gather insight from the Rhinelander Area community on area youth art programs. The goals of the survey are to:

• Gather public opinion on youth art offerings
• Identify and address program issues and challenges
• Foster community ownership in youth arts

“It is my hope that our community members will take this opportunity to quickly and easily provide input on the Rhinelander area youth arts programs,” noted LOC class member, Lauren Sackett. “We are hoping that by using the online survey system we will see an increase in the community’s participation.”

 Leadership Oneida County is a nine-month program with the purpose of cultivating and preparing emerging leaders in Oneida County. Leadership Oneida County creates an awareness of services and organizations within the County, and reinforces an individual’s call to civic responsibility and citizen involvement.