art for young children, educators, caregivers + community
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inclusive
SQUAD Art Studio prioritizes young children of all backgrounds and capacities. We see all children and their caregivers as rich in potential, strong, powerful, competent, and connected to their communities.
process-based
Our work together focuses on process. Process-based art is child-directed, choice-driven, materials-rich, and celebrates discovery and invention. The final product is always unique, and the emphasis lies in the creation of the work, not its outcome.
inter-generational
Our programs are curated for different age groups, so every experience offers an opportunity to engage with and to respond to the children with whom you are working. We believe that children and their caregivers built relationships through shared art-making experiences.
community-based
SQUAD Art Studio collaborates with community-based partners to offer art experiences for young children and for their caregivers. From 2017-2023 we hosted classes at The Artist’s Hand Gallery on Saturday mornings. We work with young children and their caregivers in local preschool, Kindergarten, and childcare programs. Current and past collaborators include Keys Montessori School, Downtown Indiana, IRMC, the Indiana County Farmer’s Market, Commonplace Coffee, and Great Expectations at Fairview Elementary School in Fox Chapel. If you’d like to collaborate with us, let us know how we might be able to work together!
SQUAD + preservice and early career educators + researchers
We work with preservice educators we are preparing to become educators in schools, museums, and community-based settings as well as early career educators. We serve as an IRB-approved and nationally-grant funded research site for faculty and graduate students. If you are interested in working with us in this way, please contact us!