Our signature education program started today and we had so much fun making and reading with our families! Budding Artists is a unique initiative aimed at nurturing creativity and a love for the arts and nature in children. The program, which is aimed at children aged 2-5 and their caregivers, offers a variety of activities designed to engage young minds and inspire their artistic talents. From storytelling session to hands-on art workshops, Budding Artists provides a platform for children to explore their creativity in a supportive and encouraging environment.

One of the key features of Budding Artists is its emphasis on storytelling and early literacy. Through storytelling sessions led by professional storytellers, children are introduced to the magical world of storytelling and are encouraged to use their imagination to create their own stories. These sessions not only help improve children’s literacy skills but also spark their creativity and inspire them to think outside the box.

Another highlight of the program is its art workshops, where children are given the opportunity to experiment with different art forms and techniques under the guidance of experienced artists. Whether it’s painting, planting, or sculpting, these workshops allow children to unleash their creativity and express themselves artistically. We also sing songs that not only entertain children but also expose them to a wide range of artistic expressions, helping them develop an appreciation for the arts and humanities.

We were thrilled to have new and returning families for this year’s program! We read, “In a Garden” by Tim McCanna and then went straight to making our art projects. This week we created garden art to get us geared up to start learning more about nature. Children created seed mosaics using air dried clay and a variety of natural materials. As the program is also designed to support caregivers, parents were given information about seed lending library locations and sent home with a recipe to make their own clay to duplicate the lesson at home.

Parents and caregivers have praised the program for its positive impact on their children. Many have reported that their children have developed a greater appreciation for both nature and the arts as a result of participating in Budding Artists.

Overall, Budding Artists is a shining example of how libraries are evolving to meet the changing needs of their communities. By providing children with opportunities to explore and express their creativity, programs like Budding Artists are helping to cultivate the next generation of artists, storytellers, environmental stewards, and creative thinkers.

We look forward to delivering this program at the Robert E. Smith Library in Lakeview throughout the month of March.

Budding Artists is presented by the NOLA Artist Incubator with sponsorship from the Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Friends of New Orleans Public Library, and the New Orleans Culture and Recreation Fund.