PROGRAMS
Arts & Healing
The Art Center’s arts-based health and healing initiatives for those in need of specialized programming to help individuals manage their emotions and feelings through artistic expression. These programs, led by experienced art therapists, create a supportive and nurturing environment where participants can explore their feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Our arts and healing programs provide a unique and powerful tool to help manage emotions and cope with the life’s challenges. By using art as a form of self-expression, participants can develop a sense of empowerment and confidence that will serve them well throughout their lives.
Art Therapy uses the creative process of making art to improve a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey works with various communities to provide healthy, stimulating art activities and art therapy for individuals in vulnerable circumstances as well as those with intellectual and developmental special needs. VACNJ provides art therapy programs as one-time workshops for students and teachers or as full-semester, once-a-week art therapy sessions. Programs can be tailored to best meet the needs of your individual school or community. Contact Rachel Aponte, Director of Education & Community Engagement, at raponte@artcenternj.org for more information.
Self Expression for Teens
Self Expression for Teens
Balancing it all as a teen can feel overwhelming, and, at times, difficult to put into words. Using art as a tool for expression can help to identify, manage, and cope with various sources of stress and anxiety. Join art therapist Megan Tuttle for Self-Expression Through Art: A Workshop for Teens, which will create a safe space to create and have open and honest conversations! This workshop is free and open to the public; register your teen today!
SAGE Eldercare
Art from the HeartSAGE Eldercare
Art from the Heart enhances the quality of life of older adults with mild to severe aging disorders through art projects to keep their minds sharp and to encourage self-expression.
ECLC Pride Program
ECLC Pride Program
VACNJ partners with Early Childhood Learning Center in an internship program with children with special needs, giving the students the opportunity to learn and grow towards independence. ECLC believes learning is enhanced by providing children with a rich background of experiences and situations which enables them to develop language and literacy skills.
Lincoln-Hubbard School
Lincoln-Hubbard School
VACNJ partners with the Lincoln-Hubbard School to provide art therapy programs to students in grades 1–5.
ARTS & HEALING FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
VACNJ’s Arts and Healing programs targeting vulnerable populations, including formerly incarcerated individuals and formerly houseless veterans, are made possible by the generous support of The Nicholson Foundation.
New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
A year-round program offering creative arts therapy for formerly unhoused veterans now living in transitional housing.
Neighborcorps Reentry Program
Neighborcorps Reentry Program
We work with Neighborcorps Reentry Program to continue serving formerly incarcerated individuals as they re-enter their communities with three, one-hour-long sessions of art therapy each week. Studies have shown that these types of art therapy programs can increase self-esteem and help develop basic communication and other essential skills.
GRACE
Giving & Receiving Assistance for Our Community's EssentialsGRACE
Our program with GRACE reached families that are houseless or housing insecure to offer them art therapy programming once a month. The purpose of art therapy with this population is to help families deal with the stress that comes with housing vulnerability and give families art tools and strategies for dealing with stress that they can take with them. The program is offered to families during the time they are waiting in line for food from a pantry set up by GRACE. Where possible, we send art materials home so families can continue the art practice together.
If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please contact the NJ Hopeline at 1.855. 654.6735 or call 911.
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