Art Goes to School - Central Bucks

General Philosophy of Art Goes to School

Art Goes to School believes that art is an integral part of life and can reflect and guide life itself. Art can be considered one of the most interdisciplinary studies available to the academic world. By studying the art of a past or present culture, one is able to better understand and appreciate society at that time. Members of Art Goes to School are friendly visitors to the schools who wish to bring art appreciation and art history to elementary students. The cumulative effect of our visits from year to year are evidenced in the positive reaction we receive each year when we return to the schools. During our visits we encourage students to perceive and respond to various forms and aspects of art in an enjoyable manner. We believe that art is a way to reach all types of students, including the mentally and physically challenged students. By helping the child to see art as a valuable human experience and guiding them to see art as a means of reshaping his/her individual experience, we make a profound and lasting impression in just a short amount of time spent in each classroom

original AGTS logo

History and Background of Art Goes to School

In 1962, the Junior League of Philadelphia initiated a program called Art Goes to School, which is an art appreciation program designed to introduce children to significant works of art via high-quality reproductions. AGTS is geared toward individual classroom discussion at the elementary level.

Initially AGTS was staffed by Junior League volunteers; in 1964, PTA school mothers joined the program. In 1971, AGTS became a self-governing organization that was no longer under the auspices of the Junior League. Today the majority of groups recruit members from the schools in which they teach and from the community at large. The organization is governed by a steering committee composed of two representatives from each participating school district and an elected executive committee that guides the steering committee.

AGTS is a self-supporting, non-profit organization incorporated in the states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is currently comprised of 52 groups from both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Pennsylvania counties include Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, Bucks, Berks, and Lancaster; New Jersey counties include Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Cumberland, Hunterdon and Atlantic. Although the AGTS program is geared to reach elementary grades K-6 in all public, private, and parochial schools in each district, many groups reach out to nursery, middle, and high schools, special schools and classes for the handicapped, and senior citizens groups.

The primary purpose of the program is to stimulate in the young child an interest and delight in art from all schools and historical periods. The volunteers help children discover for themselves an enjoyment and understanding of works of art. A background in art might be useful to a volunteer; however, the only prerequisites to join are a genuine interest in art and a sincere desire to work with children. The dedicated men and women range in age from 18 to 80 +; educational levels of the volunteers range from high school diploma to Ph.D.

A fall lecture series and special programs are held in various locations to enrich the knowledge of each volunteer. Each group is required to hold local workshops to distribute and share research on all the artists and pictures within its assigned portfolio, to clarify classroom procedures and suggest teaching techniques. All new members must observe seasoned volunteers in several classroom situations before teaching their first class.

School Bus name tags that CB AGTS members wear.

History of the Central Bucks AGTS Chapter

The Central Bucks Art Goes to School (CBAGTS) Chapter began in 1975 because an art teacher at Butler Elementary had learned about the organization in another district and wanted to see it active in Central Bucks. Recruitment of twenty-two interested community members resulted in the successful establishment of the group in April 1975. Rachel Silver, chair, and Jeanne Smith, co-chair, began a series of workshops held in members' homes in September 1975. In addition to the workshops, the group researched and presented both oral and written reports of the art reproductions that they had been given, attended lectures at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and viewed classroom demonstrations in The Lower Moreland and North Penn school districts. Disappointment was in store for some of the members when only four of the twelve Central Bucks elementary school principals signed up for the program; however, this soon disappeared after the first visits to Kutz and Buckingham Elementary Schools. The principals at those schools were so enthusiastic about the classroom visits and AGTS that every other principal requested that their schools be included. New Hope-Solebury (NH-S) was added to the list because a fourth grade student at Doyle told his mom, the art teacher at NH-S that the program was great, and she should ask to have her school included.

Today CBAGTS visits every CB public elementary school, except Buckingham Elementary,* four parochial schools, Plumstead Christian, Buckingham Friends, and New Hope-Solebury Elementary and reaches over 11,000 children each year.

Currently CBAGTS has thirty-five volunteers, consisting of one founding, several veterans, and many others at various levels of experience. CBAGTS is always looking for new volunteers because some members need to leave to reenter the work force, obtain more education or move away.

*In 1994 a parent at Buckingham Elementary wanted AGTS to visit the school every month. Because of time contraints, this was impossible for AGTS; therefore, the parent started her own group. For two years both groups visited. Because AGTS leaders found that some of the material was being presented by both groups, they suggested to the principal that only the parent-run group continue but promised to return should the other group fold.

Click here to see photos of CBAGTS members at work in the classroom.

In the News...

Art goes to school has been featured in newspapers and journals over the course of its history. Click on the links below to view a sampling of these publications.

Accolades...

Central Bucks Art Goes to School has been positively received by students and teachers alike for over the past 30 years. Click here to view a letter from the Central Bucks superintendent of schools. Click here to view a letter from the principal of Titus Elementary.

Our favorite and more rewarding praise comes from the students themselves. Click here to see what they are saying about us.

about us ~ activities and events ~ students ~ volunteers ~ join us ~ FAQ ~ home