About ArtWorks-Orlando
ArtWorks-Orlando was started by Renée Schneider in 2003 and joined Go Full Steam as of 2020. Students participate in art museum tours, live theater productions, art and drama workshops and gallery exhibits. They also have a chance to exhibit and sell their art. They may attend gallery opening receptions where they meet and discuss their art with guests. This raises their confidence, improves communication skills, and builds self-esteem.
Why ArtWorks-Orlando ?
Children facing the challenges of poverty, homelessness, abuse or other traumatic experiences are often left with debilitating emotional burdens, academic deficiencies and a limited view of their own potential. Low self-esteem can cause them to doubt their worth and capacity to succeed. Economic disadvantages create opportunity gaps that prevent these children from experiencing art. Yet it is art that can become their salvation. Art classes give struggling children a way to feel successful and gain longed for positive recognition. Art classes increase self-esteem, build confidence, teach the importance of completing a task and improve problem solving skills. Art – It’s more than a pretty picture!
Our Programs
Each ArtWorks-Orlando program is unique and developed specifically to meet the ability and needs of the students at each location. ArtWorks coordinates closely with partner organizations to ensure programming is meaningful and fits with their existing structure, while also adding new and exciting experiences. Community events are curated to educate and raise awareness of child welfare issues, or to celebrate cultural diversity and instill cultural pride. Often mentioned, hallmarks of ArtWorks programming are intentionality and depth. Contact ArtWorks-Orlando to ask how we might bring art to your organization.
Art Encounters
Enhance self-esteem and confidence, encourage self-discovery, improve communication skills, build personal connections, teach art principles
Youth ages 11-18 participate in 2-3 art classes per month.
Youth exhibit and sell their art at bi-monthly exhibits at a professional art gallery and retain the profit from these sales.
Youth attend gallery opening receptions where they speak about their artwork to professional artists and other reception guests.
Youth participate in 2-3 field trips to the Orlando Museum of Art.
Youth attend 1-2 plays and participate in a backstage tour or drama activity at Orlando Family Stage.
Youth participate in 1 field trip to an arts focused business.
Location: Edgewood Children’s Ranch (reparative, residential care for troubled youth)
Art Discoveries
Enhance self-esteem and confidence, provide access to new arts experiences, teach art principles
Youth ages 9-15 participate in 1-2 art class(es) per month.
Youth participate in 3 field trips to the Orlando Museum of Art (includes museum tour and art project).
Youth attend 2-3 plays and participate in a backstage tour or drama activity at Orlando Family Stage.
Location: Orlando Union Rescue Mission (homeless shelter for families)
Art with a Purpose
Encourage self-discovery, enhance self-esteem, build community and provide access to new arts experiences
Youth and young adults ages 13-25 participate in quarterly field trips to the Orlando Museum of Art (includes museum tour and therapeutic art project)
Location: Zebra Youth (support services for LGBTQ+ teens and young adults)
Healing the Heart
Provide therapeutic art experiences for victims of sexual abuse.
Teen and pre-teen girls complete a therapeutic art project for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Teen and pre-teen girls participate in special community art exhibits for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Teen and pre-teen girls and their families participate in therapeutic Family Art Nights.
Location: Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families (support services for disabled, disadvantaged, or abused children, child abuse prevention programs)
Art Additions
Enhance and support public school art programming at low-income schools.
Students are given the opportunity to participate in special community art exhibits and projects.
Complimentary tickets are provided for students to attend theatrical performances.
Art supplies are purchased and donated to support school art programming.
Volunteers provide weekly assistance in the art classroom.
Location: Maxey Arts Magnet School
Kits for Kids
Expand art access
Disadvantaged youth receive art kits allowing them to continue creating art outside of class.
Locations: Various organizations in Orlando, Florida and Winter Garden, Florida
ART for Understanding
Educate the community through art, and enhance cultural pride
Children’s art is exhibited in prominent public venues or at community events to raise awareness of child welfare issues or to honor achievements by minority cultures and their leaders.
Past and current locations: Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Family Stage, Orange County Administration Building, Orlando City Hall, University of Central Florida, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
Creating Community
Educate the community through art, and enhance cultural pride.
Educational art activities are provided for the public at community events to raise awareness of child welfare issues, or to honor achievements by minority cultures and their leaders.
Locations: Orlando, Florida and Winter Garden, Florida
Start the Conversation
Provide input from youth and encourage conversation regarding community development initiatives.
Children in under-resourced communities create art to highlight existing assets and future dreams for their communities. Residents of long neglected neighborhoods are often reluctant to speak up to local leaders because of past experiences. Children and the art they create opens up the conversation and gets everyone talking.
Past clients: Lift Orlando, Polis Institute, and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
