More Than Just Arts and Crafts
It’s a typical Monday at Fairmount…
Sixteen energetic young children between the ages of 5 and 10 enter Novelty’s big red door just before 10 a.m. ready for a day of Fairmount’s Multi-Arts Homeschool programming. The group is split by age and each begins their activity for the day; the older students downstairs in the art room, and the younger group upstairs in one of Fairmount’s three dance studios.
Brantley, age 8, and his sister, Carter, age 5, are both energetic participants. They are split into their appropriate age groups and begin their creative journeys.
Carter’s favorite part of the day is art. “I like to make stuff,” she says, recounting her day of making aliens by pipetting watercolor paint onto paper and then using a straw to blow the watercolor in many directions to make different shaped blobs.
Brantley shares that he likes theatre. “Today we played games and my favorite game in theatre is Statue,” he says, “There’s a guard and if we move and she sees us, then we’re out.” He is rather good at it, recounting that he won the game that day!
“I also like art because I get to make stuff,” he continues, “We made pottery and our own universe and planets.” His favorite is ceramics commenting on how he most enjoyed making a small ceramic bowl.
Both Brantley and Carter loved participating in the Great Lakes Science Center’s visit where they were led through STEAM activities including constructing and testing a self-made contraption designed to keep an egg from cracking after falling from a great height. “Me and Amora made a wonderful one and the egg didn’t crack,” Brantley says excitedly.
Their mom, Dawn, has thoroughly enjoyed seeing the different projects Fairmount has offered in its summer camps and year-round homeschool programs. “I really value the quality,” she says, “It is more than just arts and crafts.” She is grateful to receive scholarship support, allowing both of her children to participate, and notes the reasonable price point and small class sizes as attractive features of the program that keep them coming back. “I think you guys do a really great job,” she says.
Your gift to the Fairmount Scholarship Fund can make Fairmount’s Multi-Arts and STEAM Homeschool programs accessible to other local homeschooled students like Brantley and Carter. And with the help of a generous donor willing to match your contribution up to $5,000, there’s no telling just how much impact you can create with just one gift!
Looking for more of an incentive? Fairmount is a non-profit organization, meaning your gift is tax deductible. Did you know you can benefit from your charitable donations even if you don't itemize?
You can take a special deduction for your charitable contributions of up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. This is an "above-the-line" deduction, meaning it reduces your taxable income directly, and you can claim it in addition to taking the standard deduction.
How’s that for positive impact on you and your community?
