Root Division encourages and supports the integration of arts production and education for artists and communities. We take the talent of the local art world and put it into the hands of school children. As part of its arts education component, Root Division currently provides art classes and workshops for four after-school programs in San Francisco. We serve students at Cesar Chavez Elementary, and Mission Education Center, a K-5 school for students who have recently immigrated to the U.S. from Spanish-speaking countries. We also work with middle school students at Horace Mann Middle School, and host onsite workshops for middle and high school students from Seven Tepees Youth Program. All of our programs serve a diverse group of students, most of which attend San Francisco Unified School District schools.

Root Division recruits volunteers from the local artist community to teach ten-session art classes in drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, and/or other arts. A number of these artists are in the Studios Program at Root Division's 3175 17th Street studio space. Artists volunteer one hour per week and choose the types of projects and media they are interested in teaching, acting as "artists-in-residence" for a ten-week session at the after school site. Root Division assists the artists in formulating effective, age-appropriate lesson plans and offers them guidance in working with youth. As a result, artists gain valuable experience teaching within the community, and young students are able to interact with adult mentors in the art-making process.

Please check our website for information regarding other upcoming youth programs, including onsite workshops for K-12 students.

For more information, to register a student, or to volunteer, contact:

Kija Lucas
Education Coordinator
Root Division
(415) 863-7668
education@rootdivision.org