Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center Inc.

Daily public programs include museum, folklife and gallery exhibits; docent tours; artist's demonstrations; and hands-on opportunities. Artists are served through fellowship residencies, visiting artist programs, studio assistantships and internships. Education programs include curriculum related programs for general and at-risk students, teacher professional development, seminars, open studios, classes and workshops. A nationally recognized craft festival and a biennial contemporary glass exposition highlight 10 special weekend events. WheatonArts operates in 18 buildings, on 60 wooded acres, and is open six days a week most of the year, with a reduced schedule in the winter months.

Attendance in 2005 was 73% Adults; 27% Students. 16% of adults are seniors, and 13% of the total reflects complimentary admissions. Geographic breakdown: 51% Southern NJ; 12% Northern NJ; 15% PA; 14% other Mid Atlantic states; 8% Other States; 1% International. (Figures based on 21% of attendees surveyed). WheatonArts is in Cumberland County, one of the most economically challenged in NJ. All major cities are UEZ zones and each school district is an Abbott District, reflecting financial need, low achievement levels, and high "at-risk" populations. Using the Census data, our audience is: White 76.5%; African-American 12.9%; Asian 2.1%; Hispanic/Latino 7.5%; Native American .3%; Other.8%; 10% w/ disabilities. Artist participants are estimated at 25% cultural diversity.

Wheaton Arts holds the conviction that the arts must be an integral part of the education of all citizens and there should be special emphasis on school age children, as a part of their basic education. In support of this conviction, and our own mission to "engage artists and audiences" WA integrates education into virtually all programming, public and otherwise. Additionally, WA supports state education goals, which recommend the arts to be fully integrated into the core curriculum of NJ students. Formal arts ed programs include teacher's professional development, for-credit college internships, and education programs for general and "at-risk" students. Future emphasis will be placed development of new programs, including a new preschool "GrowCreative" program. Informal public education includes: Museum and folklife exhibit interpretation, artist demonstrations, artist workshops, family workshops, participatory performances; Make Your Own programs; Seminars; Docent classes, Lectures and Fellowships.