Founded in 1984, ARTREE is a program designed to enhance the fine and performing arts in the school districts in Merced County. Directed by a committee of Merced County Arts Council, Inc., its purpose is to stimulate creativity, broaden experiences, excite curiosity in all the arts, and discover connections to curriculum.
ARTREE is a resource for the schools and the community in Merced County. The ARTREE roster has myriad professional artists whose services are available to facilitate workshops, give performances, conduct teacher inservices, and assist in curriculum development. ARTREE activities include culture, dance, drama, music and visual arts.
How it Works
The ARTREE Catalog contains information on available workshops and assemblies and is updated annually. The Catalog provides details on individual workshops such as grade level appropriateness, cost, maximum number of students and artist information. To request an artist, teachers fill out a request form for the desired ARTREE activity at least six weeks before the event.
The Enrichment Center is our Adult Day Program for persons with developmental disabilities, providing instruction and a forum for exploration in the visual and performing arts. The Enrichment Center is a vendor for Central Valley Regional Center, and licensed by the State of California Community Care Licensing. The program operates 5 hours per day (9am – 2pm), 5 days per week (Mon-Fri), 12 months per year.
The Program Enrichment Center classes are provided in the visual and performing arts. Our program design includes the following components: Visual Arts, Clay/Ceramic Arts, Music, Movement, and Theatre Arts. The Personal Project class is our weekly “capstone” class, providing clients with the opportunity to flex their artistic muscle—each client planning, developing, and working on a project that is uniquely meaningful to them. Personal Projects may take months to complete.
The Enrichment Center provides a safe, supportive, and positive classroom environment. Socialization, communication, and self-advocacy are strongly supported by staff.
Location The EC is center-based, occupying classrooms and office space on the Third Floor of the Multicultural Arts Center at 645 West Main Street in Merced. Located in the heart of downtown Merced’s arts & entertainment district, the program has many opportunities for walks, coffee trips, and being part of the downtown scene. For more information or to arrange a visit, contact Program Director Shannon Essig, at ecartists@yahoo.com or by calling (209) 388-1162.
Links For more information about developmental disabilities, or to ask about qualifying for services, visit the Central Valley Regional Center at www.cvrc.org.
