EQUITY
Art is the Way, a cultural initiative between P.S.84 & The Frick Collection
How can we bring art beyond museum walls and foster equity?
Art is the Way is an educational and community-based partnership that Anne initiated in 2016 between P.S.84, The Lillian Weber School of the Arts, a public school in Manhattan, and The Frick Collection, a leading museum in New York.
Through the exploration of time in various cultures and periods, the program aimed at promoting an equal access to art by bringing resources and historical objects from the museum’s collection to children inside the school.
Over three school years, children of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds – including Special Education classes – had the rare opportunity to look closely at a work of art in their own environment, and to engage in a discussion with a curator.
This program has reached more than 450 students of P.S.84 and their families, who were also invited to visit The Frick Collection.
In 2019, the third edition included the exceptional participation of acclaimed artist and author Edmund de Waal, who brought a few of his pieces in a dialogue with the students.
“This program has turned out to be one of the best experiences I had with my students. The ability to use arts in a non-judgmental and free-spirited way was an amazing opportunity for children to display emotions that they would otherwise not have been able to express.”
A Special Education teacher.
“Art brought me happiness, peace, a sense of understanding the world. Thanks to the children, and their curiosity I saw in their eyes, I was able to rediscover the magic of this feeling. The idea of bringing an artwork in a familiar place, without the barriers of an impressive, sometimes overwhelming museum, is extraordinary. I feel that if we have people connect with one specific object, we can open their curiosity to discover more art and go to museums.”
Charlotte Vignon, former Curator of Decorative Arts, The Frick Collection.