Art Start NW expands to more classrooms in third year

Art Start NW expanded its nonprofit school program to include three Edmonds middle schools: Alderwood Middle, Madrona’s 7th and 8th graders, and College Place Middle School. The initiative provided over $10,000 in art supplies in October to Chase Lake, College Place, Cedar Valley, Lynndale, and Spruce Elementary. Every student at these schools received a sketchbook, and teachers accessed fully stocked art cabinets for classroom projects. The nonprofit received grants from the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation, the Hazel Miller Foundation, and the Paul Allen Community Access grant to support their donations. Additionally, Art Start NW launched the Student Art Wall and Teacher Resources pages on its website, offering free lesson plans and opportunities to showcase student artwork.

A private workshop for Edmonds middle school art teachers is scheduled for December, followed by three additional workshops in early 2024. The program aims to enhance arts education and foster creativity among students. Art Start NW's efforts reflect a commitment to enriching the educational experience through the arts.