You can do it! Children’s Art Museum of Chicago. Hands On! The 501(c),(3) non-profit organization is. The Hands On! was established to provide quality arts programming for all children. It also aims to educate and inspire children through the arts. We intend to provide a dynamic, constantly evolving program. Our programs will include fine arts, but we are primarily focused on visual art. The majority of activities are open-ended and can be enjoyed by anyone who walks in. The Museum will be staffed with working artists. All structured activities will be led and directed by master artist-teachers.

The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities and the Arts Education Partnership started a study last summer to examine the impact arts experiences have on young people. It also explored why and how arts experiences can change young people. Research shows that children with high levels in arts participation are significantly more successful than those who are ‘arts-poor’. Champions of Change found that arts education can help students at high risk reach other disciplines. The arts give young people authentic learning experiences that stimulate their minds, hearts and bodies. Arts education not only helps students learn, but it can also help them develop creativity and self-discipline.

All three of the founding board members are mothers with young children. Karolyn KUEHNER, Executive Director, has a Bachelor of Music degree (Piano Pedagogy) and a Master of Music degree (Piano Performance and Pedagogy), both with the highest honors, from Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University. In addition, she served as Lecturer in Piano at Roosevelt University for over 10 years, and has also served on the piano faculties at Concordia University and Elmhurst College. Ms. Kuehner was honored with the D.H. Baldwin Fellowship to recognize her contributions in piano pedagogy. Ms. Kuehner is an active Brownie Troop leader with the Girl Scouts of Chicago and is an advocate for homeschooling. She was a guest of Educate! on Channel 20, and Medill Reports at Northwestern University. Interviews with Ms. Kuehner have appeared in Chicago Parent and the Homeschooling Link.

Sheri Jendra (Operations Director) holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration as well as a Master of Public Administration degree at Governors State University. She was previously employed at the Beverly Area Planning Association as the Housing Coordinator. She also served as the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission’s Assistant Planner. Ms. Jendra participates as a volunteer at St. Barnabas Catholic Church (Elementary School) and in a variety sports activities for youth.

Nancy McGourty, Marketing Director, holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree with a major in Marketing from DePaul University. Prior employment included the positions of Assistant Vice President/Marketing for Founders Bank, Economic Director for the Beverly Area Planning Association and Marketing Officer within the Corporate and Institutional Banking section at First Chicago Bank. As a director in the Southwest Beverly Improvement Association (Beverly/Morgan Park), and as a volunteer with Sutherland Elementary, St. Barnabas Catholic Church, the AYSO and the AYSO, Mrs. McGourty is an active member of the Beverly/Morgan Park community.

Our Board of Directors includes the original board members as well as a variety of people, including Ramsey Lewis, Grammy-winning composer and pianist, Michael Friedman (CEO of Premonition Records), James Lindsey (CPA with TTX Company), and Paul Tuminaro – a Chicago-based arts advocate who is a member of the NewGroup Board at Museum of Contemporary Art.

We are looking for funds to finance the initial start up costs. This includes legal costs as well leasehold improvements, rent and similar expenses.

We estimate that approximately 60% of Hands On!’s annual revenue will be generated by a combination of membership, admissions, programming, retail sales, and related activities. The rest of our funding will come from:

• The writing of proposals to secure grants from

foundations.

Objectives

Hands-On!‘#8216’s objectives in the first year of business were:

• To generate earned revenue from a combination of membership and admission fees, programming, outreach, retail sales, and special events.
• To secure funding from new sources, such as foundation grants, government grants, private donations, and corporate gifts.
• To have 375 total members.
• To reach 1,500 kids through our outreach programs.

Mission

hands on! aims to help children of all age develop their creative potential through visual and performing arts. Hands on! aims to provide a safe environment for children of all abilities and ages to express themselves through the fine arts. hands on! is a professional environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and respects individuals.

Keys to Success

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