SmArt After School

About this important program

SmArt After School is a multi-disciplinary program developed by the Freeport Art Museum that integrates the arts into the after school program at the Boys and Girls Club in Freeport and at the SACC program with the YMCA. 

Funded through grants, and matching income from partnering agencies, this program reaches over 400 children annually who typically do not have regular access to the art museum and come from economic backgrounds that often create barriers to opportunities for additional cultural activities that would enhance learning and provide a creative means of self-expression

Our program partners believe the addition of consistent, professionally led arts activities to their pre-existing after school programs has the potential to create a powerful combination that will reinforce student learning. Incorporating the arts in the classroom promotes interdisciplinary learning, engages students who would not otherwise excel, and reveals students’ “hidden talents.”

Employing a multidisciplinary approach using both visual and performing arts is proven to be among the most successful after-school program models. Because of this, SmArt After School features visual, musical and theatrical components presented by regional artists.