A NEW MODEL FOR REACHING AT-RISK FAMILIES

With support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, The Ringling launched Artful Families, a pilot program that explores new ways of engaging adult caregivers. This method represents a significant paradigm shift. Many museums offer free passes to students participating in school tours, placing the burden of returning with their family on the child. The Aspen Institute conducted compelling research on the importance of involving parents and adult caregivers as well as children in programming, creating the Two Generation Lens Model. The Community Foundation has been utilizing this model as a way to provide opportunities for vulnerable families and was eager to work with The Ringling on a revolutionary approach to family involvement. “Knowing how experiential cultural opportunities encourage creative thinking and problem-solving skills and can be a wonderful family experience, the Community Foundation is proud to be a partner in this meaningful collaboration,” says Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. “Often, the families who need these experiences the most have the most limited access to them, and we have to do our best to tap into opportunities to break down barriers. Anyone who has been stirred by the arts can vouch for its power. With creativity quickly becoming the currency of the century, this initiative will provide these families with valuable life experiences and make wonderful family memories.”

The Museum had existing relationships with two local nonprofit organizations, Forty Carrots and Visible Men Academy, to reach at-risk families, so it was a natural progression to involve them in this new program. Through this partnership The Ringling was able to begin building bonds with participating families. Forty Carrots and Visible Men Academy invited museum educators to enhance existing programming at their respective locations, which allowed parents and their children to get to know The Ringling’s education team in a familiar environment.

These families then visited the Museum to participate in programming specifically designed for them. In addition to activities for children, the adult caregivers were given their own tours. These tours allowed them to see first-hand how

The Ringling could be relevant to them and how their families could benefit from increased engagement with the Museum. These experiences began to erode the preconceived notions that many had about The Ringling.

Following this personalized introduction, each family was given a complimentary Museum Family Membership. Museum staff let participants know that the organization values them and wants them to visit often, participate in programming, and utilize all the benefits of membership. In addition to creating a strong bond with these families, The Ringling now has an important data source, as the Museum’s membership system logs each visit the families make. In the coming months the Museum will be able to evaluate the program and identify remaining roadblocks through interviewing participants and assessing the number of their museum visits.

The early success of this program enabled The Ringling to receive a grant from The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. This four-year $175,000 gift will support an expansion and continuation of Artful Families into the formal program The Ringling WEB: Where Everyone Belongs.

“Through the humanizing influence of art, The Ringling WEB will elevate families beyond their day-to-day perspective. We are pleased to support this important work,” said Teri A Hansen, Barancik Foundation President|CEO. This grant will allow The Ringling to hire a full-time Community Engagement Officer to work with additional nonprofit service providers in Sarasota and Manatee counties to bring the program to 200 at-risk families in the community each year for four years.

"We are honored and grateful to have the leadership and support of the Barancik Foundation as well as the guidance of the community foundation for this important initiative," said Steven High, Executive Director, The Ringling.

This project will transform The Ringling’s ability to connect with the local community across economic barriers. The Museum is committed to being a welcoming place of learning and wonder for everyone, and wants families to incorporate the Museum into their lives as a place for young learners to develop tools for a successful future. The Ringling WEB will empower parents of at-risk families in the Sarasota area to facilitate regular, meaningful museum visits with their children, centered on conversation, exploration, and play around works of art.