The Arlington Public Library has been awarded a grant of $10,000 by the National Endowment for the Arts in support of free art education for the public. The Library will seek artists to work in residence, provide classes and display pieces in an exhibition. The free classes and exhibit will be open to patrons beginning in January 2020.
“All Americans should have access to the arts,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Grants such as this one to the Arlington Public Library are an important part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ work to ensure people in communities both large and small across the nation have the opportunity to experience the arts.”
The Downtown Library Makerspace offers something for both experienced and aspiring makers. NEA-funded artists will lead classes in a variety of formats and display their own art in Create, a flexible gallery space, while the series of classes is ongoing. Classes will begin in January 2020.
Makerspace students and patrons will be invited to submit one piece of art to be included in a non-juried exhibit in Create opening in June 2020. Everyone is invited to contribute. Participants do not have to be a formally-trained artist to contribute. Artist applications will open July 1. Arlington area artists will be given preferred consideration.
“This project will strengthen the creative capacity of our community by allowing anyone to learn to express themselves through art,” says Library Services Manager Melissa Jeffrey. “We’re excited to bring more arts events and education to Arlington.”
Click here to learn more about the Makerspace.
Arlington Public Libraries, Support Youth and Families
News, Headlines, Library