The Vanderbilt Child and Family Center will launch a recreational art enrichment program for Vanderbilt University community members with school-age children entering first through fifth grades.
Art Adventures Enrichment Program application>>
The launch of this program comes as the university explores ways to support Vanderbilt community members with school-age children. In June, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susan R. Wente launched the University Working Group on Schools and Childcare.
In July, the working group announced the launch of a new caregiver online forum for VU community members to connect and exchange ideas and resources regarding child care solutions and arrangements beyond Vanderbilt’s campus.
The new Art Adventures Enrichment Program will run Aug. 24–Nov. 25 and will take place at the university’s 1810 Edgehill Ave. location.
“We understand that many Vanderbilt families are exploring options for their school-age children during the fall semester, and we wanted to provide one solution here on campus,” said Vanderbilt Child and Family Center Executive Director Kathleen Seabolt, who also serves as co-chair of the working group.
“We hope that this program provides one more option for relieving some of the exceptional pressure facing the members of our university community,” said Ben Harris, co-chair of the working group, vice chair of the Faculty Senate and a senior lecturer at the Blair School of Music.
Art Adventures is designed to support the inherent creativity of students by providing access to rich and varied media and activities. The program aims to give students an experience of art that is child-directed, choice-driven and celebrates the wonder of discovery and innovation.
Some children may benefit from time to complete homework, especially projects that require creativity. Forty-five minutes in each block is dedicated to supporting students with this goal. Homework Club times can flex to the precise time the student has synchronized classes, or they can use this time to work on asynchronous projects or tasks that are part of their online school platform. However, Art Adventures is not a tutoring service and cannot take responsibility for moving students through their academic course of grade-level study. Staff will create a quiet space and kindly answer students’ questions to the best of their ability.
Families can enroll for either two or three days per week. Two time slots will be offered from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Block A) or 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Block B). Approximate flow of the day will be organized to allow for student choice to explore various mediums, and could look like:
Block A
7 a.m. – Craft Corner
8 a.m. – Outdoor Exploration
9 a.m. – Snack
9:15 a.m. – Homework Club
10 a.m. – Paint and Clay
11 a.m. – Games
11:30 a.m. – Lunch
Noon – Upcycled Art Activity
1 p.m. – Outdoor Exploration
2 p.m. – End of day
Block B
11 a.m. – Games
11:30 a.m. – Lunch
Noon – Outdoor Exploration
1 p.m. – Upcycled Art Activity
2 p.m. – Homework Club
2:45 p.m. – Snack
3 p.m. – Paint and Clay
4 p.m. – Craft Corner
5 p.m. – Outdoor Exploration
6 p.m. – End of day
The Art Adventures Enrichment Program will implement the health and safety policies and procedures that VCFC has established along with Vanderbilt University Public Safety, the Vanderbilt Facilities Department and others to support children’s learning and a recreational environment. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Every individual, including the student, parent or guardian, and staff members, will have temperature and symptom screening daily prior to admission.
- All individuals will wear a mask or facial covering over their nose and mouth.
- Handwashing is required before eating and hands-on projects, and after eating and using the restroom.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be located at every portal.
- VCFC will provide a coordinated response for contact tracing, cleaning and sanitization, and communications procedures have been developed.
Daily rates with a minimum of two days per week
| Employee Income Band | Daily Rate per Child |
| $99,000 + | $39 |
| $75,000 – $98,999 | $25 |
| $40,000 – $74,999 | $14 |
| Below $40,000 | $7 |