Mission: Creative Arts for Developing Minds is a non-profit organization based in Middletown that provides opportunities for creative expression, enhancement of positive self-esteem and development of a sense of community for foster care and adoptive children, ages two through 12, through music, art and movement.
Background: Nan Arnstein founded Creative Arts for Developing Minds in 2009. As a former foster care child who was subsequently adopted, Arnstein learned at an early age how critical the creative arts, especially music, were for her well-being. Music has been the constant in her life: beginning piano lessons at age five, earning bachelors and masters degrees in music, directing a community chorus for over 20 years and playing the piano everyday. Following a prosperous 20-plus-year career in finance, she refocused her career on giving back to the community.
Creative Arts offers integrated programs combining music, art and movement to foster care and adoptive children. There is significant research documenting the benefits of early exposure to the arts to stimulate right-brain development. Given the known impacts of trauma on the right-brain functioning of young children, it seems especially imperative to provide such stimulating opportunities to these children. These opportunities will enhance learning capabilities, as well as provide corrective emotional experiences.
The Summer Fun through Music, Art and Movement, is an 8-week program, beginning June 28, that will offer two-hour classes twice a week to 4- and 5-year-old foster care children. Each class will consist of integrated experiences in music, art and movement. The classes are designed to enhance self-expression, enhance positive self-esteem, increase exposure through positive peer interactions, increase resilience through mentor-student relationships and increase physical and psychological health using creative outlets of expression to achieve these goals. The cost to participate in the session is $50 per child.
Needs: We are in need of volunteers to assist with fundraising activities, database management and classroom management. CADM is looking for a permanent space so it can offer a full program schedule beginning in September.
Leadership:
Nan Arnstein, executive director;
Ilene Grueneberg, president of the board of directors;
Leslie Jane Hunt, vice-president;
Harry Oakley, treasurer;
Barbara Bunk, acting secretary.
Contact Information:
Creative Arts for Developing Minds
P.O. Box 902
Middletown, CT 06457
860.834.3359
www.creativeartsdm.org
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Nan Arnstein is executive director of Creative Arts for Developing Minds.
