YMCA of Middle TN

YMCA artEMBRACE

Empowering Many By Rendering After sChool Enrichment

YMCA artEMBRACE is heading into its fourth year!

There are two parts of the program:

• artEMBRACE East
• artEMBRACE - FunCo

artEMBRACE East

artEMBRACE East Creative Arts Center in East Nashville
(Russell Street at South 11th)
Located in the trendy “Five Points” subsection of East Nashville, artEMBRACE East offers comprehensive Arts classes for all ages and backgrounds. Each quarterly one-day-per-week class series lasts four to eight weeks. All proceeds help fund the artEMBRACE - FunCo Program.

artEMBRACE East Classes include:

• Wheel Throwing Pottery
• Acrylic Painting
• Jewelry Making
• West African Drumming For Families
• Latin and Traditional Ballroom Dance
• Kidz Klay
• Creative Movement For Kids

artEMBRACE - FunCo

artEMBRACE - FunCo is a unique and powerful After School Creative Arts Enrichment Program. It is based in YMCA Fun Company and began in February, 2007 at eleven sites. The Program focuses on developing Self-Esteem and Creativity in our youth, using the arts as the main conduit.

Our first year was so popular and successful that the Program has undergone an over 1000% expansion to now include over 150 Fun Company sites, homeless shelters, and juvenile correctional facilities in Middle Tennessee. Over 8,000 students now participate in artEMBRACE classes annually.

How Does artEMBRACE - FunCo Work?

Twice per week, professional Teaching Artists conduct one-hour Arts Workshops during afternoon Fun Company hours. Workshop Series range from three to eight weeks in duration. Each participating Fun Company site receives one Workshop Series either during Fall or Spring semester. Students are chosen via a 'first-come, first served' permission slip system, though preference is given to those who have not yet experienced artEMBRACE. A maximum of 15 students is allowed into each Workshop. Each year, a new Arts Discipline will be introduced to each site.

YMCA artEMBRACE Advisory Board

The YMCA artEMBRACE Advisory Board consists of Arts professionals, educators, and concerned community citizens. The Board meets every two months to brainstorm issues and ideas for the Program. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Board, please contact YMCA School Age Specialist and artEMBRACE Director Gerry Walker at (615) 226-5577, extension 72513.