Racine arts
​council ARTSTART​

The goal of ArtStart is to make art truly accessible to everyone in our community, no-matter their socio-economic status. Through ArtStart, Racine Arts Council (RAC) strives to eliminate the barriers, whether they be financial, logistical or perceived so that adults and children alike can experience and appreciate art in all its forms.

Racine Arts Council developed the ArtStart program in 2014. RAC board members serve as companions/mentors in bringing undeserved audiences to artful events, developing a future generation of art appreciators and artists.
Sponsors:
ImaginACTION
Making Art Accessible To All.
Past groups that have been served by ArtStart include:
  • Bethany Apartments
  • Women's Resource Center
  • Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization (HALO)
  • Racine Youth Offender Correctional Facility
  • Advancing Family Assets/United Way. 
Programs have included a collaborative mural project created by students of the REAL School & Racine Civil Leaders Academy, as well as a group trip for youth and adults from the HALO summer arts camp to the Milwaukee Art Museum for a docent-led tour of the galleries and lunch. Select projects are featured below. ​

HALO SUMMER PROGRAM (2019)

The summer of 2019, RAC partnered with First Presbyterian Church and featured the Summer Educational Program of HALO (Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization) led by Lauren Sommers, Director of Education & Art.  The children wrote a play based on the 50th Anniversary pedal car "Sun Ray" by sculptor, Bill Reid.  The play and their artwork were presented on the Ihrman Hall Stage, August 23, 2019 in front of an audience of 60 people.  The smiles on their faces when they took a bow, told a new story for them of confidence, hard work, creativity and appreciation.  ​

YOUTH ART COMPETITION AND MURAL (2019)

Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility: Inmate Mural Project
The mural image for the Visitors Wall was beautifully designed by Tonee Smith, an artist and inmate whose talent is evident in his mural. The RAC proudly collaborated with the RYOCF to bring this project to life, providing paint and supplies to support its creation.
​Racine Youthful Offender Correctional Facility: Inmate Art Contest
The RYOC showcased the creativity of its inmates by hosting an art contest, inviting them to express their talents through original works. On Saturday, October 5, seven participants proudly displayed their artwork for the event. Pete Wilson, Founder of ImaginAction, and Corey Thompson served as esteemed judges for the competition. RAC was proud to present the awards honoring the artists' achievements.

​"WALK THE WOODS" OUTDOOR GALLERY (2020)

​RAC partnered with the Pillars Assisted Living Center and the DeKoven Center in a collaboration to engage over a dozen residence in creating an outdoor art gallery throughout the gardens of the DeKoven center.

LGBTQ CENTER STUDENT ART NIGHT (2021)

​LGBTQ Youth Art Night featured almost 10 students for an urban sketching