Creativity and resilience. We use our voices, hands, bodies, and hearts to connect with each other through creativity.
Craftsbury Community Greenspace
Next steps for this community natural space
After submitting the survey you will be redirected to our donate page. Thank you!
Rural Arts Collaborative must discontinue management and programming of this community space on South Craftsbury Road. Due to limited resources and capacity, we are seeking an alternative future for this valued natural space.
We have several avenues to consider, and we would like your input into the process. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey below. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
Afterschool Enrichment
Our WonderKids Afterschool Enrichment Program is nature-based and art-focused, and encourages resiliency by sparking children's creativity and confidence. We are hiring at all levels of the program, apply now!
This 2024-2025 school year, our theme is Reclaim the Rain! Students will deepen their love of nature and learn ways that they can help protect the environment. The activities will approach environmentalism and resiliency of humans and animals with love, curiosity, and creativity through the following daily topics this Winter:
Crisp: The air isn’t the only thing that is crisp this time of year; many of the snacks and treats that the WonderKids will make on this indoor and outdoor cooking day will snap, crackle, and pop. Reeve Basom from the Center for an Agricultural Economy will join some groups for cooking local ingredients over a toasty fire!
Shine: Poems and music bring out children’s amazing gifts and talents. With crafts that interact with light, our big personalities, and favorite friends, we will shine a light on ourselves and our friends this winter.
Light: Sometimes we just need a break from the hustle and bustle of life. We will investigate all the ways we can lighten up our lives: games, laughter, relaxing, and taking it easy with friends. It is important to remember to breathe!
Shelter: What does shelter mean to you? It could be a fort you build in the woods, a tent you love to camp in, your own house, or even just a hug from a friend. Shelter can be whatever keeps us safe and makes us feel safe, even if it is something we can’t see or touch, like music or poetry. Visiting artists will help us envision our own shelters from the rain and snow, and how we can make them into special places. We will also be able to explore SEL inspired verse, music and movement.
Summer Enrichment
Summer camp for everyone!
The WonderKids Summer Enrichment Program gives youth space to be children, to explore, and be curious as they move into their futures as happy, healthy, kind humans.
Our Summer Outdoor Adventure Camp for children in grades K-6 runs Monday through Friday for five weeks from July 7 to August 8, 2025 (pending funding.)
Tiny Masters
We’re never too young to explore art.
Supporting Head Start Pre-K locations in Hardwick, Albany, and North Troy, the Tiny Masters program transforms the classroom into an art studio and guides the children in mindful artistic practice. These 3-5 year old students show us that it is never too early to start exploring art.
Developed and delivered by Rural Arts Collaborative, our curriculum introduces students to new materials, diverse techniques, and a range of artistic styles like impressionism, cubism, pop art and more. Through the program, they see how varied art can be and then they get to practice making their own masterpieces using what they've learned.
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso
Anyone can bring the Tiny Masters program to their school, library, or playgroup. Inquire with us about hiring our teaching artist to come to your event.
