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Mission & Values

 

Our Mission

To cultivate the artist in each of us by inviting creative collaboration in the study, practice, and advancement of the studio arts.

Groundworks Art Lab provides hands-on art education for all ages and abilities in community spaces where people can connect. We offer affordable, accessible programs in wood, metal, glass, print, and clay. These “studio arts” often require equipment and facilities beyond the reach of most individuals. We also partner with a number of local organizations to provide free and reduced-rate programs outside the studio to underserved members of the community.

 

"It feels like home here. The instructors and teaching assistants are great. There’s a lovely energy to make all feel welcome."

— Adult Student

 

Our Values

Art for Everyone

At the core, we belief art is for everyone. We see firsthand the positive impact that art and honing a craft can have on people’s lives, and we strive to provide that experience for as many people as possible.

Ceramic Heart, Artist Soul

Groundworks was born from clay. Although we’ve evolved into a multi-discipline organization, our ceramic heart is important because it ties us to impermanence, playfulness, freedom, and the permission to get messy.

Making Space for Community

Community is key for Groundworks. We’ve evolved to be a true art hub where classes, studios, event space, and galleries create a resource for people to make and experience art, togehter.

Vibrant & Real

Groundworks isn’t stuffy. Who we are comes from the communities we serve, the programs we deliver, and the authentic culture within our team. We seek out people who are bright, fun, and playful to foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable.

Hands-On

We believe in the power of doing and creating. The studio arts mean working with your hands and truly getting close to the material and the idea you’re working on.

 

Our Vision of equity

Art is a universal language that empowers people. Art gives voice to individuals and groups and is one of the most powerful tools for self-expression. At Groundworks Art Lab, we are committed to advancing accessibility, equity, and inclusion in every area of our organization. We believe the unique contributions and diverse voices within our staff, board, students, and volunteers enlivens our humanity. We recognize that institutional inequality, through conscious and unconscious practices, creates disparities in access to arts programming. Therefore, we will:

  • Build intentional partnerships to further our equity and inclusion efforts;

  • Foster learning environments where every person can feel safe, engaged, valued, and encouraged to collaborate, generate ideas, and contribute;

  • Invest the necessary resources to further our inclusion and equity efforts; and

  • Embrace community feedback and evaluate our operations and programs to ensure our practices are inclusive and equitable.

To achieve our vision, we must actively work to overcome complex inequities within our organization, within the arts landscape, and within our own community. We commit to furthering inclusivity and belonging as we work to make art more accessible to everyone and to ensure all people can experience the studio arts in a positive way.

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