2017 – 2018 Creativity Shell Program Application Form
The Creativity Shell is a nonprofit organization on a mission to use creative trades to educate and inspire the next generation of makers. Our organization currently teaches sewing/textile arts classes to students in schools, public libraries and shelters that rescue children from homelessness and human trafficking.
Thirty years ago, home economics programs such as sewing, cooking and shop classes were a standard part of the education system. Today, most home economics programs have been removed from schools and many children are not learning these skills at home.
When the Creativity Shell began teaching sewing/textile arts classes, we were faced with a larger crisis that we initially imagined. One of the biggest challenges we are facing with our programs is the lack of practical skills among the students we are teaching. In our classes, we have students who cannot tie their own shoelaces, students cannot cut fabrics with scissors, they cannot thread needles and many cannot fix a button if it were to fall off their shirt. Furthermore, the lack in their ability to use practical skills adds to extreme frustration and poor problem solving skills and decision-making skills.
To help prepare students for the future, the Creativity Shell uses our sewing/textile arts classes to teach children essential life and practical skills. Our team is made up of creative people within the community who poses artistic skills and plenty of patience to gradually pass their skills on to the students we teach. Our Executive Director, Shelancia Daniel is a costume designer and Educational Psychologist. She uses many educational psychology concepts derived from the works of Jean Piaget, Maria Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Bryan Sutton to design sewing/textile arts programs for our students.
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EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Most of our programs are 12 weeks in length. All of our projects are graded on items like problem solving, coping, decision-making, skill level, frustration, and gratification. Students enrolled in week one of 12, for example, will receive a project that has a zero level in problem solving, coping, decision making. Students enrolled in week five of 12, however, will make projects that are a level five in problem solving, coping, decision making. By week 12, it is expected that students can sit for two or more hours to finish a large project. This method allows us to wean our students off instant gratification while teaching them to make decisions with the items they are sewing (such as whether to sew on a button or use a clasp) and build their skill level by boosting their confidence.
RESIDENT PROGRAMS
Each week, dedicated and trained Creativity Shell teacher(s) will visit your location with sewing/textile arts programs to teach to your students. Supplies, materials and machines are included for each program. Students do not need to purchase additional supplies for classes unless they choose to do so.
CREATIVITY BUG: “This is one bug you will want to catch!”
The Creativity Shell is launching an exciting new program that aims to educate and inspire the next generation of makers even more than we already do! The Creativity Bug will be a magazine that consists of work by the students enrolled in all of our programs. Our photography students will take photographs; our sewing/textile arts programs will make fashion and our new digital arts program will work on the layout and graphics for the magazine. The Creativity Bug will release the first issue in October 2017 and we are looking forward to your students showcasing their work in it!
SEWING/TEXTILE ARTS PROGRAM DETAILS
Fall 2017 Programs begin on Monday, September 11, 2017.
Spring 2018 Programs begin on Monday January 22, 2018. (Some daytime programs will begin earlier)
Program Length: 12 Weeks
Class Length: 2 hours (1 Hr. per class)
Students: 12-15/Class (Total of 24-30)
Costs: Program costs are determined by the needs of each location where we teach. Some factors that affect costs are the number(s) of teachers necessary to teach the class, number of students in the class and total number of programs/location. Please submit your application form and we will contact you.
CREATIVITY BUG
All students will get the opportunity to participate in the Creativity Bug when they are enrolled in our programs at any location throughout Houston.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The Creativity Shell offers resident programs in schools, public libraries, churches and shelters that rescue children from homelessness, human trafficking and domestic violence. The Creativity Shell teaches programs in your location and our staff brings all the machines, materials and supplies necessary to teach each class. Week after week, students in our classes are making real items to take home and enjoy. If you would like to have a Creativity Shell sewing/textile arts programs at your school, library, church or shelter, please fill out this form and we will contact you.
To be considered for the Fall 2017 schedule, program applications must be submitted to the Creativity Shell by May 15, 2017.
APPLICATION FORM
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