Art Reach

Art Reach is PAAM Education’s premiere award-winning program for youth.

Designed to support the growth and development of students overtime, from beginner to advanced learner, peer mentor, and teaching artist, Art Reach is comprised of three integrated programs: Art on the Edge (ages 9-11); Art Reach 101 (ages 12-14); and Art Reach Studio (ages 15-19). Each program runs every Saturday over two 10-week semesters (fall & winter). Students may apply to any tier of the program and are not required to participate in a tier before they are considered eligible for the next one. Students may choose to participate in one or two semesters, although participation in both is encouraged. All Art Reach programming is offered free-of-charge, with transportation and materials provided!

The Details

Art Reach is a youth-driven space, where students are encouraged to be artists as well as decision-makers, leaders, and innovators; building the strength and skills necessary to be successful in school, community, and life. Guided by professional teaching artists, students work independently and collaboratively on art projects in various mediums and disciplines and engage in the museum practice of curating and exhibiting their works of art. As a multidisciplinary program, Art Reach explores the connectivity of art to everyday life, providing engagement in art history, media, humanities, and for older students – professional development and career opportunities. All Art Reach students are also eligible to sit on PAAM Education’s Youth Advisory Council, where they play a key role in the planning of Education programming and events.

The rich setting of PAAM allows students to hone their skills in our beautiful Museum School studios as well as gallery spaces. Art Reach students will utilize both our permanent collection and rotating exhibitions to enhance their work and all Art Reach students will be featured and celebrated in a culminating exhibition held at the Museum at the end of the program. The natural setting of Cape Cod as well as the unique history of the Provincetown Art Colony are also incorporated, providing students a multilayered setting in which to develop and create their art.

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2023-2024 Program Overview

TIER 1: ART ON THE EDGE (AOTE) [FULL]

AGES 9-11 (Recommended 4th, 5th, & 6th Grade) | SATURDAYS | 10AM-1PM

Both semesters of Art on the Edge are full, please email Grace if you would like to be added to the waitlist: gemmet@paam.org

Introductory program for new or returning students eager to explore the arts, advance their skills, and unlock creativity through experimentation and exposure to new mediums and ways of thinking.

Semester One: October 7th – December 16th, 2023 (10 weeks) *no session Nov 25th
Semester Two: January 13th – March 23rd, 2024 (10 weeks) *no session February 24th

TIER 2: ART REACH 101 (AR101)

AGES 12-14 (Recommended 7th and 8th Grade)  | SATURDAYS | 10AM-1PM

Intermediate program for new or returning students ready to dig into higher-level artistic concepts, specific core content, and engage art in a broader context. Students will also get exposure to new mediums and approaches and get introduced to art history and contemporary art.

Semester One: October 7th – December 16th, 2023 (10 weeks) *no session Nov 25th
Semester Two: January 13th – March 23rd, 2024 (10 weeks) *no session February 24th

TIER 3: ART REACH STUDIO (ARS)

AGES 15-19 (Recommended 9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th Grade) | SATURDAYS | 10AM-2PM

Advanced program for new or returning students interested in cultivating their portfolio and deepening their focus and practice. Students will be pushed to explore their creative identity and cultivate intention and direction in and through art making. Students will continue to develop their knowledge of art history and contemporary ideas. Art Reach Studio takes a holistic approach to creative expression and welcomes aspiring artists as well as students not interested in pursuing a future in the arts. 

Semester One: October 7th – December 16th, 2023 (10 weeks) *no session Nov 25th
Semester Two: January 13th – March 23rd, 2024 (10 weeks) *no session February 24th

Questions? Contact Grace Emmet: gemmet@paam.org, 508-487-1750 x122.

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Application Process

STEP 1: All students interested in any tier of Art Reach must complete an initial application. 

This can be done online using the application below, or by printing out and hand-writing the application below and scanning/emailing it to Grace Emmet (gemmet@paam.org) or mailing it to PAAM, ATTN: Grace Emmet, 460 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657.

STEP 2: Once your application is received, you will be contacted by Grace to further assess your interest in the program and proper placement in a tier. At that time, you will also receive a formal registration packet from Grace containing all necessary paperwork needed to officially confirm your enrollment in Art Reach. 

All Art Reach programs run over two semesters, however, you may apply for only one (although participation in both is encouraged). If you apply at the top of the program year and are accepted, you do not need to apply again for the second semester.

Finally, attendance at Art Reach is very important. Limited space is available, class sizes are small, and students are expected to participate to the fullest extent possible. If you anticipate being unable to commit fully to the program, or are concerned about anticipated absences, please notate them in the appropriate space on the application form. Any questions? Contact Grace at gemmet@paam.org, 508.487.1750 x122.

PAAM’s youth programs are supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency; the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod; the National Endowment for the Arts; Ted Jones and Peter Petas; the Aeroflex Foundation; the Anthony Family Fund; the Bilezikian Family Foundation; and Stop & Shop Provincetown, in memory of John Michael Gray.

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