Throughout this summer, the traditional lunch time has quickly become a beacon of
creativity and nourishment for the children of Grand Forks. Through fruitful partnerships the Grand Forks Children’s Museum's outreach program has been able to provide a unique and enriching experience for our community's young minds.
Many thanks to the following organizations who have so generously contributed to our success:
Artwise, who provided a generous grant to cover the cost of art supplies,
St. Joseph's Social Care, who provided free lunches with their Summer Lunch Program,
Alerus Financial, given in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, and
the Grand Forks Housing Authority (GFHA), who provided the locations.
This artistic program was initially launched at the LaGrave Learning Center on June 13. The response from the children and the enthusiasm of the Housing Authority staff was so overwhelming that we expanded to Winterland Apartments within a short two weeks. This expansion serves as a testament to the program's success and the community's eagerness to engage in meaningful and creative activities.
Fostering Creativity and Fine Motor Skills
Our art activities were designed to focus on developing fine motor skills, such as paper cutting, drawing and gluing. However, the true magic happened when the kids took the themes and supplies and let their imaginations soar. The projects we introduced included:
Dino Blocks: Large foam blocks that children used to build dinosaur skeletons, fostering both creativity and structural thinking.
Monster Painting: A fun and imaginative session where kids painted their own scary or friendly monsters.
Castle Printmaking: Using block print stamps, the children created their own castles, which encourages creativity and design skills.
Robot Lab: An inventive space where children built their own robot creations.
Weaving: A tactile and skill-building activity that introduced children to the basics of weaving.
Community Excitement and Engagement
The excitement from the neighborhood children was palpable. They stood outside waiting for us to arrive, eagerly helping to unload the car and set up for the day's activities. One boy showed his enthusiasm by wearing his Jurassic Park T-shirt on Dino Day. Another girl brought her favorite stuffed monster and created his portrait, showcasing the personal connections these children made with the art projects.
A Space for Imagination
More than just a series of activities, lunchtime provided a safe and inspiring space for children to explore their creativity. The themes and supplies offered were merely starting points; it was the children's imagination that brought each project to life.
Art Matters Joins the Fun
In the last two weeks of the program, Art Matters joined in the fun with their own art activities and have generously passed out take-home art supply kits. This addition brought even more excitement and creativity to our program, allowing children to continue their artistic endeavors at home.
The Strength of Working Together
This summer's success is a shining example of the strength found in working together. Each of our partners brought unique resources and energy to the table, creating a collaborative effort that enriched the lives of many area children. We are immensely grateful to Artwise for the art supplies, to St. Joseph's Social Care for providing their Summer Lunch Program, to the Grand Forks Housing Authority for providing space to create, to Alerus Financial and Federal Home Loan Bank for their financial support and to Art Matters for take-home supplies to the children so that they may continue their creative fun at home.
As we look back on this summer, we are filled with pride and joy at the impact this
program has had. We look forward to continuing to nourish both the bodies and minds of our community's children through creativity and care. Thank you to everyone who made this summer unforgettable. We can't wait to see what next year brings!
By Sheila Dalgliesh, Director of Operations, The Grand Forks Children’s Museum
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