BAKERSFIELD ART FOUNDATION, INC. (BMOA)

Consistent with our mission, we provide numerous art education programs such as Art Camps, ArtReach - a 12-week state standardized visual arts curriculum, Side by Side - for preschoolers, Museum on the Move - programs outside the walls of the Museum, and ArtWorks - a high school visual arts mentoring program.

The following list of ongoing arts educational programming and cultural events attest to the commitment of the Bakersfield Museum of Art to educational outreach and community well being.

• Art Camps during summer, spring, and winter provide children with arts activities during their school breaks and have been running successfully since 1994.

• ArtReach is a portable arts in-school enrichment program that is taken to culturally isolated Kern County school districts. This program offers a hands-on class for artistic self-expression and self-exploration in a positive environment. The curriculum, developed by local teachers and Museum arts education staff, is adapted to suit the ages and maturity of the students involved, making the program a partnership undertaking between the Museum and the recipient schools. In the 2011-2012 academic year, the hands-on, after-school program was delivered to over 1,500 students.

• Side by Side focuses on pre-school children and their caregivers and has expanded from a summer day camp to monthly family workshops. The "work together” curriculum offers parents the opportunity to interact with their children in a positive environment. These programs are designed to encourage the parent’s participation in the child’s learning process and to reinforce the importance of arts experiences as a critical learning tool. During the program, artistic exploration is encouraged. There are no right or wrong answers in artistic expression, and the program reinforces creative thinking skills that are important building blocks in cognitive development.

• Docent Tours involve a Museum exhibit art tour under the guidance of a trained docent, followed by an art project related to the art viewed. These tours are free to students.

• Museum on the Move offers an opportunity for interaction with local educators. Museum staff will provide materials including simple lesson plans and discussion topics to ensure the arts are being incorporated into their students' education. The Museum’s goal is to make this hour-long interaction with educators and students the fuel for a continued interest in arts-related learning.

• ArtWorks is a program for high school junior and senior art students, consisting of eight meetings during a semester-long period. ArtWorks focuses on developing and enhancing artistic skills while providing a broad spectrum of hands-on visual arts enrichment activities. These students are given the opportunity to work alongside Museum staff, gaining more information about careers in the arts, engaging in discussions with guest speakers, presenters, and artists, learning more about art in their community.

BMoA Arts Programming consists of a variety of special events for various audiences. These include:

"Art After Dark," BMoA’s premiere after-hours art experience with community art projects, live music, unique performances, refreshments from popular Bakersfield bars and restaurants, and much more.

Artist Lectures - both exhibiting and other relevant artists presenting on a variety of visual art topics.

"BMoA Visits..." - trips to art-related institutions, private residences, and museums.

Miscellaneous other activities including Valuation Days, Theatrical performances, and Meditation & Yoga programs.

Via Arté has been a successful project of the Bakersfield Museum of Art since 1999. The Street Painting Festival follows an ancient Italian tradition originating in the 16th century. Street painting, using chalk as a medium, is enjoying a renaissance in cities throughout Western Europe and the United States.

The Bakersfield Museum of Art is proud of its role in introducing this romantic art form where professional and amateur adult artists, students, and young children share their talents. Since its beginning sixteen years ago, the two-day gala has continued to grow in size and popularity bringing artists, families, and businesses together in a festive and artistic atmosphere. Via Arté is regarded as one of the finest festivals in the state. Its popularity proves that a world-class street painting event will attract both local and distant visitors. Artists from throughout California respond to the Museum’s statewide advertising of the event, coming to Bakersfield with family and friends. This extensive undertaking is possible through collaboration with Kern County schools and business and corporate sponsorships, and necessitates many community volunteers.

In participation with Downtown Bakersfield’s Second Saturday events, BMoA’s Lecture Series offers a unique insight into artistic culture with special guest lecturers, artists, and behind the scenes looks at art programs and exhibitions. Also included with admission is an all-ages art project that explores the concepts and themes of the current BMoA Exhibitions.