Vision:

To be an imaginative, creative space where anyone in the Greater Lansing area feels welcomed and encouraged to explore and practice art making--all while connecting with neighbors, families, artists, and their community.

Mission:

Believing that art in all its forms can be a vehicle for hope and healing, REACH Studio Art Center exists to foster awareness of, appreciation for, encouragement in and skill acquisition of the arts within a neighborhood setting. REACH seeks to connect artists with local residents, local residents with each other, and artists with other artists, and people with a better understanding of their place in this world, creating an atmosphere of connectedness, shared pride and creative problem solving.

Focus will be on the visual arts, including such media as painting, drawing, fiber, photography, clay, sculpture, collage, puppet-making, and mixed media. Other art forms (e.g. music, theater and literary) will be employed on occasion to enhance the overall creative experience.

This will be achieved by offering:

• art classes, workshops and day camps taught by local artists/teachers in a variety of media to a variety of age groups. This will include, but not be limited to: daytime, after school, weekend and summer programming.
• special community art projects on which neighbors of all generations, or other community organizations will be invited to collaborate.
• “Creative Connections” free art sessions where neighborhood children, youth and adults can “drop in” to create art from a variety of media choices, alongside college student, community and artist mentor--volunteers.
• volunteer opportunities to college art students, other interested community members, college students and artists.

While these programs will be open to the Greater Lansing community, program planning will include special initiatives to encourage participation by residents and school students of surrounding neighborhoods, low income families, and youth at risk.

Core Values:

1. Find ways to “reach” underserved populations by partnering with other agencies and organizations that serve these populations... offering Reach as an artistic or creative approach to addressing human social issues.
2. Provide a safe, after school setting, where youth are encouraged to develop their creative and leadership skills.
3. Provide space and activities where multi generations work together toward self or community improvement.
4. Provide programs where parents or adult mentors work alongside children.
5. Advocate the idea that there is art in everyone, but it needs to be exercised!
6. Improve the community by planning community art projects which
   1. beautify the area
   2. bring people together who form new connections and inspire future collaborations or projects
   3. give community members resources for building skills and improving self concept.
7. Form solid community partnerships with other groups, organization and agencies to increase each others ability to serve their constituency.
8. Use resources wisely by planning projects, when possible, which make use of donated and/or recycled materials. Reach staff and participants are encouraged not to waste materials and to reuse supplies whenever possible.
9. Plan art activities which encourage team work, individual creativity, imagination and artistic excellence.
10. Maintain a welcoming, safe, respectful and diverse atmosphere.
11. Ask for, listen to, respect and where possible, implement helpful suggestions made by participants, neighbors, volunteers and staff.