Do you have any art-related community service project ideas?

Question

I really want to get involved in a community service project. But I want it to be related to visual arts. I can't think of any really good ones though. Any ideas?

Answer 1

There are probably a lot of schools in your area that do not have art teachers because of budget cuts. You may want to check into which schools would welcome an art teacher or a chance to do art projects.

How involved do you want to get? I was thinking of some of the cities that have summer projects involving statues (like cows in Chicago and guitars in Cleveland). Artists or groups paint them and then they are displayed throughout the city. After a while, they are auctioned off.

You could do this on a "small" scale- maybe have students decorate boxes and place them in the mall to be raffled off for a charity. The students could be very creative with their boxes- and this will give shoppers a chance to see how creative young people are.

Just a few ideas.

Answer 2

This is an interesting idea. Do you know anything about quilting? I ask this because you may be able to enlist the help of school children to make a quilt for their school or auction it off for funds going back to the school.

The goal would be to make a quilt (probably queen size). Select a class (probably one that has 30 or students), you may need to pick 2 class depending on the size of the class.

Each student is to decorate a block (a piece of fabric, white cotton muslin for example). The block is about 6" x 6" or a bit larger. The student can paint on it, draw on it, or whatever. It is better if you use markers that are permanent and won't wash off. Fabric pens work best.

Choose a theme like "I like school" or "I like reading" or something like that. Have the kids draw pictures on the blocks to represent the theme.

Another idea is to have prints made of their hands and sign their names under the prints!

Once the blocks are done, you can sew them together or have a friend/mom or someone who knows quilting help you. You will have a nice quilt top when you are done. The next step will be to have it quilted (all the layers sewn together). The layers are the top, the batting and the backing. Someone who knows quilting can help or take it to a quilting specialist to put it together. This may cost money. That's why having someone who knows quilting is best.

The finished product can be put on display for a while. Then, at a fund raiser- sell raffle tickets. The funds can go back to the school or sent to charity.

This is a nice community project. It involves parents, teachers and the community. It's a fun project and many benefit from it.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do you have any art-related community service project ideas?
I really want to get involved in a community service project. But I want it to be related to visual arts. I can't think of any really good ones though. Any ideas?

Answer 4

Here's an idea...I would use the side of a building as the canvas for a large and extraordinary painting to bring beauty and joy to those who will see it. Options for a good location include: covering graffiti in an economically depressed area; painting the side of a run down yet intact building that has become an eyesore for the community; painting the front of a charity thrift store that would otherwise be ugly to help draw the attention of potential customers; paint the side of a public school that needs painting but cannot afford it at this time...you could paint inspirational pictures about the benefits of a good education. Of course, all of these ideas would require getting the appropriate permission, permits, etc., but I think that you would make alot of people alot happier!

Answer 5

Working with mentally disabled teaching small arts projects is a good idea. They have a place close to me and they then turn around and sell the art objects to the general public and use the money to buy more art supplies and small stipends or gifts to the artists.

Senior citizens is another neglected area. They would love to have some company and create things and the same kind of system could work with them.

Inner-city work with challenged youths takes serious commitment and serious skills in my opinion. Although the rewards may be great, it is not for everybody.

Lastly or firstly, doesn't really matter. Some kind of aids outreach to artists who are not doing well in life is also a good way.

Answer 6

I am not sure if this is the kind of answer that you are wanting.However you could always try to make alot of you own art work (aka: sculptures,painting,etc) and auction them off.Then take what ever money that you make and donate it to some community program such as home for battered women or some stop drugs program. That way you are not only helping out your community and maybe even starting a tradition,but you are also showing people your art work.

Answer 7

Go to a run down part of your city, paint a Muriel on an old bldg or cover graffiti all over town with your art! Beautify and pass out your calling card at the same time!Also contact a community service and tell them of your ideas I"M sure they would love your help.

Answer 8

I suggest you check with your local police dept. I know in some small towns they have a center for children that are heading in the wrong direction. They try to help them stay out of trouble by introducing them to arts and crafts, they play games and in courage them to finish their homework.
Look around your neighborhood, if you see a home that needs the yard cleaned up or windows washed , knock on the door and offer your services!
A Hollowrock Yankee
The world needs more people like you.

Answer 9

Depending on the resources you have available to you, it might be fun and rewarding to go into a group home or community organization , etc. and redecorate for them. A redesign using what they have and maybe a new coat of paint for the walls.

I think the relationship to visual arts is in your creativity with the project and maybe some artwork on the walls or furniture. So many ideas.

Answer 10

I live in Camden NJ one of the poorest cities in the nation. We have painted murals on abandoned buildings, cleaned abandoned lots by planting flowers,and low growing shrubs on them but we got all the kids in the neighborhood to assist with the mural paintings which made them a part of the project therefore making them the sources for not allowing anyone to deface the murals. We did this 3 years ago and not one mural or lot has been destroyed!