My kids go to public school. It’s a healthy, diverse urban school a block away from our house. I love that we walk there, that it’s full of dedicated, energetic staff, and that the teachers innovate in ways to bring life to their curriculum while still adhering to state standards. In order to attain all of the state required “instructional minutes,” though, the school day is pretty heavy on the academics. My kids have one hour-long art class once a week. We are lucky compared to some schools across the country to still have a full time art teacher on staff.
It is amazing to me as an artist, mother, and business woman how little regard arts education is given in the public school system at large. Especially in times of economic difficulty, when hard budget choices need to be made, art and music programs often are first on the chopping block, seen as nonessential. These are the times we need creativity the most!
Our world continues to become increasingly complex as the global community interconnect in all sorts of ways. There is much more stimulus and information to wade through than ever before. To prepare our children to thrive as adults in this challenging future, we need to teach them how to innovate, how to think for themselves, how to express themselves and their unique ideas. Logical academic skills are useful. They are tools to use when solving problems. But generating innovative solutions to complex problems requires creativity. Kids need more art in their lives to give them opportunities to practice and develop these critical skills. Art class is not a frivolous extra, it helps kids use their academic skills in unique and holistic ways.
Part of the motivation in creating Artterro was the realization that modern kids and families are lacking these creative experiences. Even in stores, our products are unique compared to typical craft kits for kids because of their open-ended nature, the educational instructions, and most of all the high quality of the materials. This generation of parents wants to have these kinds of experiences with their kids. Many feel the need to supplement what is lacking in our schools as well as develop a more hands-on relationship with our children. We want to help re-invigorate the love of creativity in children and families. For people to experience the satisfaction you get from making something beautiful with your own hands, to participate in the often meditative process of composing an original piece of art.
Our public schools and the dedicated teachers and administrators who nurture our children do a lot of things right. Sometimes the behemoth bureaucracies get in the way, though, and we need to use our creativity to find ways to inject more innovation and value of arts education into the system.
Josie 
Beth 
Crystal 
neljo mullins 
susan wiener 
mary 
guitardog 
Laura 
Diane 
TammyLyne 
These kits are great I love working with canvas with my 13 grandkids we also like to make jewelry with the girls. Any one of these kits would be a real treat for them to use. I believe all children should have a book and paints or pencils to draw or write stories in. I still enjoy working in the arts. I love anything canvas and making jewelry for thekids and grandkids I just finished making them flower baskets for May day. I am now looking for next months project.
Paper crafts are popular for a while now. Most children begin crafting paper crafts in class. The professors typically start the child out with very easy paper crafting tasks. This normally involves giving the kid a number of color choices and also several styles of building paper to work with. Most professors normally give the kid several ideas to start with, but each kid is actually encouraged to show their own creative imagination on their crafting paper project.This type of arts and crafts can also be incredibly stimulating for adults. Many, utilize the paper crafting material for arrangements, by placing all of them in a surprise basket or even utilizing all of them as gift wrap. While some use them for an American preferred pastime called scrap booking.
Thanks for your great work!
Hi, Networking Witches sent me. I love your kits and I’m hoping to win one for my daughter!
hello….your kits are awesome…i have some…..was sent by networking witches. keeping my fingers crossed that i will win one!
Hi! Networking witches sent me to check you out. Love your kits! tHANKS.
It’s unfortunate that not a lot of schools these days will focus on developing kids’ creative skills. You guys and your kits are awesome for striving to instill and make grow the creativity skills for everyone. =)
It was nice to come across your site and blog, thanks to the Networking Witches!
I was sent by Networking Witches. Great kits.
nordstromemily at hotmail dot com