Purdue Galleries' mobile ArtCart revamped with new van
Purdue Galleries' ArtCart is part of an outreach program project that provides no-cost, hands-on art opportunities in north-central Indiana. The new van, which will be used to transport supplies and activities to locations throughout the region, was made possible by a Capacity Building grant from North Central Health Services.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue Galleries' ArtCart will get a much-needed upgrade with the purchase of a new Ford High Capacity Vehicle.
"This is the answer to a dream I've had for several years now, and it's very gratifying to be sure," said Craig Martin, director of Purdue University Galleries.
The ArtCart is an outreach project that provides no-cost and hands-on art opportunities to the North Central Indiana regional community.
"ArtCart is essentially a volunteer-based activity to get Purdue Galleries' activities out into the community," Martin said.
The ArtCart also helps make art more accessible to the general public, he said.
"If we can take real artwork from our collection out -- show it where people can literally just walk up from the neighborhood -- then, hopefully, we can make an impact and make it more accessible to people," Martin said.
|At a time when arts activities, instructors and field trips to cultural organizations are being eliminated from regional schools, Purdue Galleries is taking a proactive approach and offering arts activities with the assistance of Purdue students and community volunteers.
"It's a real shame," Martin said. "The arts programs contribute to math, science and language it's been shown over the years. Art is a vital lifeline to who we are."
Because of this trend, a main goal of ArtCart is to supplement or replace the opportunities that are being lost at school right now and to make creativity available to students, Martin said.
"I think it really has an impact," he said. "It has an opportunity to do more -- to keep people's minds open to creativity and making them aware that art is an avenue that is available to them."
The ArtCart project was created two years ago and was dependent on an unreliable and aging van. The van had been around for about 15 years, and Purdue Galleries needed to replace it to help make ArtCart more visible in the community, Martin said.
The purchase of the van was made possibly by a $39,450 Capacity Building grant from North Central Health Services, and it will be used to transport supplies and activities to locations throughout the region and increase its professional capacities as a presenter of uniquely contemporary and high quality art exhibitions.
ArtCart will make its next appearance at the Indiana State Fair, where the activity will be available in the College of Liberal Arts tent for Purdue Day on Friday (Aug. 13).
Volunteers for the ArtCart are always welcome, and those interested should contact Martin at cdmartin@purdue.edu.
Writer: Julie Preble, 765-496-3006, jmpreble@purdue.edu
Source: Craig Martin, 765-494-3061, cdmartin@purdue.ed