ARTsmart: Bridging the Gap in Visual Arts Education
Founded in the early 1990s, ARTsmart emerged from a need to enrich visual arts education in Santa Fe Public Schools. Recognizing the vital role that the arts play in the community's cultural and economic landscape, members of the Santa Fe Gallery Association established ARTsmart as a nonprofit organization in 1997. Since then, ARTsmart has developed innovative programs such as the Children’s Painted Ceramics Project and the Visiting Artists in the Schools initiative, which connect students with professional artists.
In 2007, the organization launched the Art Changes Lives Scholarship, supporting high school seniors pursuing arts education in college. The Edible Art Tour, which began as ARTfeast, further mobilized local galleries and restaurants to support ARTsmart’s mission. A significant merger with Fine Arts for Children and Teens in 2012 expanded ARTsmart’s reach, allowing for art workshops and camps in the ARTsmart Community Studio.
Today, ARTsmart focuses on the Visiting Artist Program, which fosters collaboration between teachers and artists, introducing students to diverse techniques and cultural perspectives. This program not only enhances artistic skills but also builds confidence and self-discovery among students.