Museum of Craft & Folk Art School Program Brings World Cultures to Life for Bay Area students

San Franciscos Museum of Craft & Folk Art brings the world alive for Bay Area youth through a School Program designed to link the arts with cultural studies and social sciences taught in kindergarten through 8th grade classrooms.

(PRWEB) July 29, 2005 -- San Franciscos Museum of Craft & Folk Art brings the world alive for Bay Area youth through a School Program designed to link the arts with cultural studies and social sciences taught in kindergarten through 8th grade classrooms. Recipient of an NEA grant and Exemplary Arts Program award, the MOCFA School Program, now entering its 20th year, serves over 8,000 students annually. Descriptions and photos of workshops, as well as scheduling information, are available at www.mocfa.org/education, or by calling 415/775-0991, ext. 106.

Directed by Linda Janklow, the MOCFA School Program offers workshops based on ancient and contemporary indigenous life, customs, rituals, and traditional folk craft and art. Workshops themes circle the globe, studying art and cultural traditions from Central America/Mexico, Japan, India, China, Indonesia, South America, Greece, West Africa, Southwest United States, and African American communities. Each 90-minute workshop features a slide show, artifacts, and hands-on art activity led by trained staff visiting Bay Area schools.

"When we started creating the Program years ago we envisioned supplementing students' art and cultural experiences in school and at home," says Janklow. "But it quickly turned into something more. Funding cuts, and the pressures on teachers to teach art as relevant to their grade level studies, or to teach art at all, mean that our visits are a ‘one time only art experience, and are often a first-time introduction to basic skills. Making a puppet, cutting and gluing paper, drawing imaginary beings (drawing period!), mixing colors, weaving, tie-dying, creating with found objects, and working with clay used to be regularly included activities in school, after school, or at home. Since this is less and less the case, our visits make a much bigger difference. Students are enlightened, excited, and engaged."

The MOCFA School Program provides rich cultural and artistic experiences often missing in todays classrooms. Teachers benefit from curriculum links to Social Studies, Language Arts, and other areas that come alive for the students through the workshops multicultural themes and the opportunity to participate in success-oriented experiences that build basic skills through creative experimentation. "The Museum brings validation of long-standing cultures and artistic traditions directly to young people," adds Janklow. "It's so important to give kids a chance to weave a basket, make paper, coil a clay pot, and use scissors. They learn how easy it is to do these things again, to experiment at school or at home -- kids teach their sisters and brothers." Over the years, exemplary student works from the School Program have been presented in exhibitions at MOCFA and at the San Francisco Main Library. A quote from a student sums it up: "I hope you come again. If you don't I might never touch clay again!"

LOCATION, HOURS & ADMISSION
Through November 2005, the Museum of Craft & Folk Art is located in Building A, Fort Mason Center, Marina Blvd. at Buchanan Street, San Francisco. The MOCFA gallery and gift shop are open Tuesdays through Fridays, 11am to 5pm; Saturdays, 10am to 5pm; Sundays, 11am to 5pm. Admission to the gallery is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and FREE for MOCFA members. Free admission is offered every Saturday from 10am to 12 noon; and all day on the first Wednesday of the month. www.mocfa.org

NOTE: This November, the Museum of Craft & Folk Art moves downtown to Yerba Buena Lane, a new pedestrian walkway linking Market and Mission between 3rd and 4th Streets, near SF MOMA and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

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