Art in the House & TRANSIT ARTS

GCAC, in partnership with TRANSIT ARTS and the Columbus Federation of Settlements, received $250,000 in January from Franklin County to launch a new, cutting-edge initiative for children and teens. Through this new initiative, GCAC and our partners will organize and connect local artists, arts and cultural organizations and independent arts education programs into a comprehensive network of accessible opportunities for students in grades kindergarten through 12. Special focus will be placed on the needs of children during out-of-school hours, such as afternoons, evenings, weekends and during the summer.

How does it work?
GCAC staff will work with the local teen program TRANSIT ARTS and the Columbus Federation of Settlements to offer varied opportunities for young people to gain access to resources, instruction and inspiration. There are two main components to this initiative:

Art in the House: Highly qualified teaching artists will work with younger apprentice artists at primary sites within several of the Columbus Federation of Settlements’ facilities to conduct free, public arts activities. Modeled in part after GCAC’s award-winning Children of the Future program, children ages 5 to 12 can begin their connection to creative thinking, leadership and lifelong learning through the arts.

TRANSIT ARTS: TRANSIT ARTS, for young people ages 13 to 19, is about creating, inspiring, teaching, cultivating and attracting young talent. Originally known as CAPACITY, TRANSIT ARTS is a continuation and expansion of a long-running collaboration with the Central Community House. CAPACITY and now TRANSIT ARTS have already touched thousands of teens in Central Ohio and garnered national attention and praise. In this new partnership, experienced professional artists will lead art-related activities throughout the Columbus Federation of Settlements facilities and other community sites. TRANSIT ARTS will also provide summer job and internship opportunities, touring performance productions and entrepreneurial opportunities in the arts.