Cultivating Skills Through Arts-Based Programs

It’s not just arts skills. It’s learning how to be a good human.

ArtHouse Team

By Don Pangman

I am honoured to be the Founder of ArtHouse and over the past 17 years I’ve had the pleasure of watching so many of our children and youth flourish in an environment that ignites their curiosity, embraces their creativity and brings them together in a safe, non-judgmental and supportive environment.

Our mission is to support young people who may have no access to any extra-curricular activities because of affordability. We bring joy into their lives and help them cultivate skills through our arts-based programs on a level playing field that provides them with the opportunity to achieve success in their future years.

And we do all of this through “partnerships” - working closely with many like-minded organizations that believe that together we are strengthening our communities.

Following Covid, we made a strategic decision to expand our programming at community locations where we were needed most. We also launched our Pathways to Possibilities Project. Not only did the pandemic produce issues of social anxiety amongst many youth, but it also resulted in an explosion of technological advances and career choices – our arts-based programs provide a catalyst to help our young people see those opportunities at an early age. Whether it’s the trades, a career in the police force, or a university degree, we will help them become fully equipped with the skills, techniques and passion to help them move forward socially, academically and successfully into the workplaces of the future.

This current year could turn out to be one of the strongest in our history – and we want to do More! More kids and more locations where we can make an impact.  We want to be there week after week. Our kids join us for a meal, tell us about their day and then we launch into a program.  They trust us. Quite often we’re the only role model outside of the home.

Funding. It really comes down to programs – to ensure that we can provide the best possible resources including highly skilled program managers and instructors, donations, sponsorships and grants are vital to our success.   

We have some amazing kids who could travel down the wrong road. We’re showing them a better alternative and a way to achieve success in their lives.

It’s not just arts skills. It’s learning how to be a good human.

Story curated by Phillip McAllister

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This post is part of a larger CDH Member Story Project. The intent is to share the depth of our non-profit sector, name how community can support and imagine together what is possible through the non-profit sector to ensure Halton is a health, inclusive and resilient place to live.

Are you a CDH member and want to let your story to the project. You can get started HERE.