The mission of STAR (Storytelling, Teaching Artists, Arts Integration, and Resilience) is to provide creative education through culturally responsive frameworks, with access to the arts and technology for 3rd through 5th graders at Holmes and Garfield elementary schools. STAR creates a safe, consistent learning space with Lead Teachers and volunteers who cultivate trust, get to know participants' passions and interests, foster collaborative friendships, set the culture, and provide social-emotional learning tools that strengthen wellbeing beyond the classroom. STAR features professional Teaching Artists, designers, and innovators who guide students through projects that strengthen artistic skills, foster problem-solving, and introduce new mediums for creative expression.
OUR CURRICULUM
A year of STAR is organized into three units that engage students in investigative performance arts, technology and entrepreneurship, and large-scale visual art projects. In each project, Lead Teachers, Teaching Artists, and volunteer mentors guide and support students in identifying playful, impassioned ideas and developing them into powerful, tangible expressions of student voice.
OUR SCHOOL PARTNERS
-
Tues/Wed/Thu/Fri starting Oct 7
3-5 PM
2600 W Sharp Ave
Spark Central has partnered with Holmes Elementary to provide after-school programs in the West Central neighborhood since 2017. Join us this fall for a year of art, play, and fun!
-
Wed/Fri starting Oct 9
3-5 PM
222 W Knox Ave
Garfield Elementary is the latest school to partner with Spark Central to join Spark’s after-school programs in 2024. Join us this fall for our second year of art, play, and fun!
JOIN US - BECOME A MENTOR
STAR students love their volunteer mentors. If you enjoy spending time with 3rd-5th graders, they want to meet you! Mentors receive training from Spark Central to help encourage and develop STAR students’ creativity and build positive, playful relationships with them. Expertise in visual arts, performing arts, entrepreneurship, and other subjects explored in the program are not required - all you need is a desire to share yourself with these cool kids!
If you’re interested in learning more about being a mentor or want to sign up to volunteer at one of our school sites, press the button below to contact our STAR program staff.