RURAL ARTS COLLABORATIVE INC

WONDERARTS: THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS ACCESSIBLE AND YEAR-ROUND CREATIVE AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH THROUGHOUT NORTHEASTERN VERMONT. WONDERARTS FACILITATES AFTER-SCHOOL AND IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING AT 11 SCHOOLS, SERVING 35% OF AREA CHILDREN, AGES 0-18, WITH ENRICHING PROGRAMMING. SCHOOL PROGRAMS COVER A VAREITY OF AGE-APPROPRIATE TOPICS RANGING FROM INTERPRETIVE MOVEMENT, FIBER ARTS, AND SONGWRITING FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS, TO ENTRREPRENEURSHIP, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND COMMUNITY-BUILDING FOR HIGH SCHOOL TEENS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING AT 5 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND IN-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT 4 PRE-SCHOOLS AS WELL AS AT CRAFTSBURY ACADEMY AND HAZEN UNION HIGH SCHOOL. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERED 6 WEEKS OF FULL-DAY CAMPS CENTERED AROUND ART, TECHNOLOGY, AND NATURE-BASED THEMESE PAIRED WITH OTHER OUTDOOR RECREATION AND IMMERSION. YOUTH PROGRAMMING PROVIDED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES TO AREA PROFESSIONALS, EMPLOYING INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO LEAD CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND CAMPS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES, 18 - 100+, THROUGH ENRICHING SOCIAL, CREATIVE, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS. THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED COMMUNITY MEALS AND GATHERINGS, FILM SCREENINGS AND DISCUSSIONS, CREATIVE CLASSES AND SKILL-SHARES, ART EXHIBITIONS AND CONCERTS, AS WELL AS SNOWSHOE HIKES. DURING OUR 8TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY MARKET, THE ORGANIZATION SHOWCASED LOCAL VENDORS, ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHOP LOCALLY FOR THEIR HOLIDAY GIFTS. DURING AN EVENING OF FUN AND GAMES AT OUR ANNUAL SUMMER CELEBRATION AND FUNDRAISER, WHICH WELCOMED 130+ ADULTS AND CHILDREN, THE ORGANIZATION FEATURED LOCAL MUSICIANS, FOOD, AND WORKS OF ART IN RECOGNITION OF THE CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATIONS FOSTERED WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO OUR MONTHLY AND ANNUAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OWNS AND MAINTAINS A COMMUNITY GREENSPACE THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR RECREATIONAL USE. THE PROPERTY FEATURES NATURE TRAILS, A PERFORMANCE STAGE, AND A WILDLIFE OBSERVATION PLATFORM AND IS USED AS A HANDS-ON RESOURCE FOR LOCAL STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND RECREATION-SEEKERS TO ENGAGE WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.