Tequesta, Fla. (September 30, 2024)—Lighthouse ArtCenter (LAC) received a $42,000 grant to expand free art classes for youth and adults with special needs. Awarded through the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County’s Arts & Cultural Education Fund, this two-year grant spans through May 2026, allowing LAC to increase its support for this important community initiative. Registration is currently open at lighthousearts.org/our-classes/special-needs-classes/.
“We are thrilled to expand our special needs art classes thanks to the generous support of the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County and the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation,” said Jeni Licata, Executive Director at Lighthouse ArtCenter. “These classes play a crucial role in our Art For All outreach programs, which aim to make art accessible to underserved populations and contribute to their education, skill development, and overall well-being.”
Since 2009, Lighthouse ArtCenter (LAC) has offered free monthly art classes to individuals with special needs through the Olivia Palumbo Special Needs Art Classes. These classes were made possible by the generosity and vision of Doctors Vince and Anne Palumbo, who were inspired by their granddaughter. With new funding, LAC is thrilled to announce that these classes will now be held weekly, providing participants with more consistent opportunities for artistic expression and significant personal growth.
“It has always been our long-term goal to offer weekly rather than once-a-month classes. This grant will make this dream come true,” Anne Palumbo explained. “It is especially meaningful because those we serve flourish most readily with familiar environments and routine. It is also a boon to their caregivers, who can count on a few hours off each week, knowing their loved ones are enjoying a safe and enriching experience.”
Participants in the youth classes engage in various art projects using pencils, crayons, colored pencils, markers, watercolor paints, and tempera paints. Similarly, adult students explore these mediums while working on projects tailored to their interests and abilities. Research shows that weekly art classes for individuals with special needs improve social skills, self-expression, and self-esteem and reduce stress. They also foster community and enhance well-being through creative expression.
The special needs art classes are part of LAC’s art outreach initiative, Art For All, which provides free art instruction to underserved populations, including Veterans, individuals with special needs, at-risk children and adolescents, seniors, and economically disadvantaged individuals. LAC runs sixteen art outreach programs in partnership with ten local organizations.
For more information about Lighthouse ArtCenter’s special needs programs and how to get involved, visit https://lighthousearts.org/our-classes/special-needs-classes/.
About Lighthouse ArtCenter:
Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery & School of Art is a 501c(3) not-for-profit founded in 1964 by eight artists and Christopher Norton. The ArtCenter is dedicated to the visual arts, whose mission is to inspire, engage, and connect our community through a vibrant school of art, unique exhibitions, and diverse special events. The center has become a three-building campus with multiple galleries, eight studios, and an ArtShop. Supported by memberships, tuition, grants, and donations, Lighthouse ArtCenter serves over 20,000 visitors, 3000 students, 45 faculty members, 400 summer art campers, and a comprehensive outreach program to benefit under-served populations. For more information, visit https://www.lighthousearts.org.
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LIGHTHOUSE ARTCENTER
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