Evidence of the Impact of Visual arts & SEL Education within the Indian context First Name Last Name Email Company (optional) Phone (optional) Submit

Art Labs in Action Impact Evaluation Report 2024-25 First Name Last Name Email Company (optional) Phone (optional) Submit

Our 2023-24 Annual Report is now live! We invite you to read our 'Annual Report 2023-24' It's been a y ear of Joy, Growth & Creativity! Read the full report here! Annual Reports 2022-23 Download 2021-22 Download 2020-21 Download 2019-20 Download 2018-19 Download Download 2023-24 Annual Report Here!

Our open-source quarterly digital magazine that serves as a medium to share research findings and voices from the art education sector. Read Issue 02 here! Read Issue 01 here! Issue 02- December 2023 After an encouraging response for Art Speaks Issue 01 , we are thrilled to share the second issue with everyone! Art Speaks is an open-source quarterly digital magazine by Saturday Art Class, created to address the need for a platform that voices the collective efforts being carried out by diverse organizations and stakeholders in the realm of social-emotional learning and arts in education. In this issue, we've curated a mix of thoughtful and insightful articles that cover various views around the vast canvas of arts and education. We're excited for you to dive in, relish the articles and share it within your network! Inside our 2nd issue! NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR Our Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer Chhavi Khandelwal dedicates our issue 2 "Narratives of Visual Art" to our community that is collectively shaping millions of lives positively through the medium of arts. ARTICLES No Art is Bad Art by Jade Fernandez and Vibhor This article by Vibhor and Jade Fernandez, sheds light on the organisation, Slam Out Loud ’s approach aimed towards dispelling the notion that art must conform to specific standards. Through real stories, it emphasizes the importance of unlearning perfection, fostering an environment where every form of expression is valid. What do educators think about arts? by Akash Gaikwad and Dharmesh Moleshri Embracing a belief that "we are all artists" the article brings forth the experiences of educators who have been facilitating visual arts, highlighting their journeys with art. CONVERSATIONS Art and it's Undeniable Capacity to Change the Heart by Maahi Shah Supported by Maithili Redkar Delves into evolving views of art in different professions, from culinary arts to medicine. Maahi, highlights the significance of arts in the personal and professional lives of individuals. Amplifying Voices for Social Justice through Art by Sivani Rajani and Priyal Patki Supported by Maithili Redkar & Mitali Dixit A special feature that follows the journeys of young people whose art journey started with Saturday Art Class. They are now a part of the organisation, Nazaria Collective , where they use varied art forms such as photography, visual art, zine making, poetry to express themselves. DISCOVER The Aravani Art Project by Kristine Rodricks The spotlight on the Aravani Art Project by Kristine Rodricks emphasizes the significance of community and public art for expression on vital causes. Our children participated in a workshop, designed on this premise and experienced the power of art as a tool for social impact. WORKSHOP Art Beyond Paper and Crayons: by Rukhmini Bhatia and Tanushree Patel Exploring Lorenzo Vitturi’s Artistic Approach, discover the importance of exposing children to diverse artistic expressions. Don't miss out on the easy-to-do art plan inspired by Lorenzo Vitturi' s workshop that you can try with your children at home or in the classroom! Download your copy now!

Issue 01- July 2023 DOWNLOAD NOW! Through the power of visual art and expression, Art Speaks emerges as a platform voicing the crucial need to integrate visual art and social-emotional learning in the educational system. Our inaugural issue unifies collective efforts in the art education ecosystem, presenting diverse experiences and voices relevant to individuals and organizations promoting sustainable art integration in education. Explore thought-provoking articles, insightful interviews, and captivating stories of impact, highlighting art's influence on meaningful learning experiences. Together, we foster a collective voice that resonates, prioritizing art education and catalyzing a harmonious chorus of change, where art truly speaks! Inside our inaugural issue! FOREWORD BY RATI FORBES In a remarkable contribution, Rati Forbes pens an inspiring foreword for Art Speaks' inaugural issue. Her words acknowledge and delve into the need for a platform that voices the collective efforts being carried out by diverse organizations in social emotional learning and arts in education ARTICLES Classrooms as spaces of joy by Tanushree Patel This article explores how visual arts create joyful learning spaces, nurturing critical thinking and collaboration in children, while enhancing emotional intelligence and holistic development. A creative approach towards education by Rukhmini Bhatia The author shares insights from her journey as Program Lead at Saturday Art Class, highlighting the need for a creative and systemic approach to bridge gaps and integrate social-emotional-learning and art education in mainstream systems of education. Visual arts education at grassroot level in India by Tanushree Patel This article addresses current challenges and needs in the education system, emphasizing the need of safe spaces for children. Illustrating the existing strengths as a potent foundation. Enabling creative experiences for children in education by Keerthi Sharma This article brings experiences of working with children in art classes and highlights how the structure of the art class plans plays an essential part in aiding children's creativity and imagination. CONVERSATIONS With Sriram Ayer Founder and CEO of NalandaWay- Sriram Ayer, shares about his convictions on art as a catalyst to nurture hope, resilience, and courage in children and gets candid about his journey in the sector. DISCOVER Unveiling Badri Narayan’s artistic journey Spotlighting Padma Shree Artist Badri Narayan, a treasure trove of wonder and stories. The article explores his self-taught journey, contributions to Modern art rooted in Indian art, and why he's indispensable for arts education. Download your copy now!

Research Outputs Expressing from the he(art) Read more Evidence of the Impact of Visual Arts & SEL Education within the Indian Context Read more Art Labs in Action: Impact Evaluation Report 2024-25

Research output Evidence of the Impact of Visual Arts & SEL Education within the Indian context What happens to a child when they engage in arts? Visual art is a powerful tool to enhance children’s social-emotional skills and yet there's limited research on its impact in emerging democratic societies like India, home to one of the world's largest marginalized child populations. Read about the impact as we answer the question with first-hand research and bring forth the evidence! Read our research output here! Evidence of the Impact of Visual Arts & SEL Education within the Indian Context Our Approach Through first-hand understanding, we have observed the development of skills and competency outcomes through Visual Arts & SEL. This enabled us to dive deeper into understanding the manifestation of behavioral outcomes in students. We have intended to measure SEL within the art classroom contexts where these skills are facilitated, practiced, and lived. Key Findings Over the year, the research affirmed our belief: sustained engagement in Visual Arts & SEL nurtures skills like imagination, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and perseverance- preparing students not just for school, but for life. The key findings of the study are summarised below: Through visual arts & SEL, students didn’t just learn to draw, they learned to think critically, express their emotions, and work collaboratively with their peers. Classrooms became safe, joyful spaces where students were free to explore, experiment, and engage with each other, sparking their curiosity and creativity. Joy as an experience played a crucial role in nurturing collaboration, student participation and interest in the classroom. When students felt happy, they were eager to share ideas, ask questions, and work together, creating a co-learning environment. Respect, compassion, and confidence grew naturally. Students learned to value their own work and that of their peers, offering help and encouragement without being asked. With facilitators guiding rather than instructing, students felt empowered to express themselves, turning the classroom into a space of discovery rather than judgment. Highlighting On-ground research Capturing stories "Pop art makes my Happy look like it is breaking a wall and coming out - thats how much happy I feel when I am drawing in art class!" - Yusuf, Grade 3 "I want to turn the city into a village and the village into a city, and hence added metro and car in a village and then farmer, cows and fields in a city" she said as she discussed which border she wanted to cross. - Tairin, Grade 7 Download your copy here

Research output Expressing from the he(ART) Narratives from our classrooms Read our research output here! Parveen didi, a parent of one of our students shares in an interview featured in the Expressing from the he(ART), on why access to Visual Art and SEL is so crucial for her child and the changes it has brought out. Hear what Parveen didi has to say! Narratives from our classrooms Arbaaz | Grade 8 “I can use my imagination! When you take us through the exploration process and introduce different artist’s work or different styles of art and topics, I imagine how it should look, and then I draw it. It feels amazing to create something from my ideas & imagination." Urvi | Grade 7 "I created art to show what happens around me. Gender is given to us at birth, and nobody can be blamed for it, we should be good to everyone.” Datta Sir “The importance of art education is a means for students to express their emotions and experiences , which is particularly valuable for their personal and social well-being. ” Kalyani Miss “Children will build many skills by learning about art.” Download your copy here

"The arts are about the qualities of human experiences. Through music, dance, visual arts, drama, and the rest, we give form to our feelings and thoughts about ourselves, and how we experience the world around us." -Sir Ken Robinson Our Current Reality Today in India, the National Education Policy, 2020, recommends a holistic & art integration approach in education, but the reality on ground is, 300 out of 400 schools in Metropolis city of Mumbai do not have an art teacher. Nationwide availability remains uncertain. Educators are expected to conduct art class, but lack tools & support hindering their ability in classrooms. There is absence of visual art & SEL curriculum that focuses on mindset building & fostering wellbeing. What happens to a child because of these problems? A child within such a system, experiences the lack of an outlet to voice out what they truly want in their education journey. They are not exposed to working with tools and methods that feed into creative thinking, imagination and collaboration. They often grow up to experience low levels of confidence, struggle with communication, building and maintaining healthy relationships & collectively problem solving. This deprivation of holistic and creative learning, hampers their journey as a student in the education system. How does it also affect an educator? Educators feel helpless not knowing how they can create safe and joyful spaces of learning for their students. This is due to the lack of contextualized resources and training in order to cater to student's current needs. Educators also feel overburdened by numerous responsibilities and find themselves unable to learn and grow This restricts them from adopting and practicing innovative learning methodologies. Our Solution To bridge the gap of art education, we implement policy recommendations for holistic learning through visual arts & SEL education, partnering with state governments, educational institutions & grassroot non-profits. Visual Art & SEL Curriculum development Research & Development in visual arts & SEL education Teacher Training, with real-time technology support Stakeholder Engagement & Awareness workshops Our relevance in the National Education Policy 2020 The National Education Policy lists several benefits of a higher quality education system that promotes multidisciplinary learning. It highlights the need for setting up an education system that promotes the holistic scientific and creative development of individuals. The Saturday Art Class School Curriculum and our model approach for our flagship programs directly contributes to the National Education Policy and addresses various components of the policy, specifically talking about bringing arts into our schools. Following are some key statements that align with 'Our Why' : 4.7 As a part of the thrust on experiential learning , art-integrated education will be embedded in classroom transactions not only for creating joyful classrooms, but also for imbibing the Indian ethos through integration of Indian art and culture in the teaching and learning process at every level. 22.3. The arts form a major medium for imparting culture. The arts - besides strengthening cultural identity, awareness, and uplifting societies - are well known to enhance cognitive and creative abilities in individuals and increase individual happiness.

Adding He(art) to education Our vision is to create a world where every child is inspired to create with confidence Our mission is to work with and within the system to implement visual art and SEL programs to build skills to thrive in children. Click here to see how we do it! Know more about the work we do

Creative and Wellbeing in Education - Inaugural Ecosystem Gathering (26th April, 2025 | Parle Platina Centre) Agenda 26th April, 2025 SYMPOSIUM 2025 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM Parle Platina Centre, Ville Parle Join the waitlist! Wellbeing through Creative Expression in Education Time Session 9:00 am - 10:15 am Creative Kickoff - Doors Open to Inspiration Registration & Welcome Refreshments Ecosystem Showcase Stalls Art Installation Showcase The day begins with a warm welcome! Sip on your morning brew, mingle with fellow changemakers, and explore interactive art displays and ecosystem stalls. Don’t miss the vibrant children’s art exhibition showcasing collaborations with renowned artists. Plus, pick up your symposium zine to guide your creative journey throughout the day! Starting the Conversation - Welcoming the Creative Revolution 10:15 am - 10:30 am Opening Address Keynote Address Speakers: Amita Chauhan, SVP India | Louisa Zondo, Ricky Rick foundation | Deepika Mogilishetty, Ek Step foundation | Anis Barnet, Community Arts Network Foundation | Manasi Mehan, Saturday Art Class We’re setting the stage for transformation. Join us for an opening address by our collaborators, inviting you to explore how arts and wellbeing can reshape the future of education. Our supporter of creative education will join the conversation as she shares insights on the impact of art in education, especially for underserved children. Get ready for an inspiring start to the day as we set the tone for a creative revolution in classrooms. A Vision Unveiled - The Power of Art 10:30 am - 11:00 am Inauguration and Opening Address Impact Evaluation Report Launch Speakers: Brinda Upadhyaya, Upadhyaya foundation | Payal Jain, Populi Join us as we unveil the SArC Impact Report. Discover the findings on how arts and SEL foster long-term wellbeing in students, with a focus on building an evidence-based approach to creative education. Get insights from the experiences on ground on designing reflective tools, qualitative insights, and the state of evidence within our ecosystem. Beyond Metrics - Reimagining the Future of Arts Education 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Panel Discussion Speakers: Bina Shah, Harish & Bina Shah Foundation | Deepika Mogilishetty, EkStep Foundation | Jyothi Vynatheya Oberoi, Dalberg | Suchetha Bhat, Dream a Dream | Sandeep Rai, The Circle India (Moderator) Join changemakers for a conversation on how we can go beyond traditional teaching to foster holistic impact of arts education. This discussion will explore creative evaluation, storytelling, and funding strategies that drive meaningful change in classrooms. Our Vision, Our World 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Art Work Presentation Facilitator: Saturday Art Class While the day filled with conversations and insights unfolds, we have something interesting brewing at the backdrop of the Symposium. This unique session will give voices to some of our delegates whose voices are often unheard. Building Bridges - Lunch With Purpose Lunch & Networking Enjoy lunch while engaging in conversation about the future of creativity in education. Participate in our 'Get to Know Your Neighbour activity to deepen connections and foster new collaborations. Different Voices, Shared Futures: Creativity and Wellbeing at the He(art) of Learning 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Panel Discussion Speakers: State Government Education Department Representative (Name disclosed closer to the date) | Balasaheb Kanke, Shankarwadi MPS | Mehek Shaikh, Youth Artist and Facilitator | Suchitra Shinde, Udaan India Foundation | Ikpreet Singh, Ek Step Foundation (Moderator) This one-of-a-kind panel brings together a diverse range of voices - a student-turned-youth artist associated with SArC since the age of 7, an academic educator championing art education, a visionary principal who helped lay SArC’s foundation, a government official advancing arts-based programmes, and an ecosystem changemaker driving collective action. Together, they’ll explore why integrating arts and wellbeing in education is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. How do we move from ‘nice to have’ to ‘must have’? Shaping a future where every classroom nurtures the whole child? 2:30 pm - 2:45 pm A Creative Recharge Movement-Based Activity Facilitator: Manzil Mystics Join us for a fun, interactive activity designed to re-energize the group. Through movement and creative expression, we’ll celebrate the power of togetherness and creativity. 2:45 pm - 4:00 pm Dive into the Ecosystem - Workshops & Research Dives Hands-On Workshops Research Presentations Presenters: ARISA | MANN Foundation | Nazaria Art Collective | Dream A Dream Choose your adventure! Engage in a hands-on workshop where you can explore your creativity. Alternatively, attend research presentations that uncover how creative expression is driving change in education and wellbeing. 4:00 pm - 4:15 pm Creative Pause - A Moment to Reflect Tea & Mingle Recharge with a warm cup of tea or coffee, catch up with fellow changemakers, and spark new ideas for collaboration in a relaxed environment. Unlocking Potential - Funding the Future of Arts Education 4:15 pm - 5:15 pm Panel Discussion Speakers: Bina Joshi, Forbes Marshall | Prabhir Correa, Waterfield Advisors | Ekta Sheth-Balya, Dentsu Good | Swati Apte, The Arts Quotient | Maharshi Vaishnav, Motilal Oswal Foundation (Moderator) Join funders, philanthropists, and sector leaders in a powerful discussion on how strategic funding can transform the landscape of arts and wellbeing education in India. Art-in-Action - What’s Next for Art and Wellbeing? 5:15 pm - 5:30 pm Closing Remarks & Reflections Facilitators: Collective of Art Education Organizations (The Circle India) | Saturday Art Class We’ll close the day with reflections on the insights gained and actionable steps toward continuing the work of integrating arts and wellbeing into education systems nationwide. 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm Final Connections - The Creative Send-Off Networking & Tea Before you leave, make sure to explore new ideas with fellow changemakers, and take the last opportunity to spark potential collaborations. Don’t forget to fill in your zine! *The agenda is subject to change. Register to join the waitlist now! For any support please reach out at dharmeshm@saturdayartclass.com , where our team members can further assist you. Join the waitlist!

165,248+ Children impacted 5,958+ 97 10,07,682+ Educators trained Partnerships established Children reached digitally Our Journey Saturday Art Class was started in a Grade 3 classroom, in a local government school, with a simple yet powerful intention - to help build a safe space of expression within the classroom using a medium that surpasses all barriers - Visual Arts . It was started as a pilot project in 2016 with a classroom of 30 children . These very children, their voices, artistic creative expressions and their unique thoughts & ideas helped realise the vision of the organisation - a world where all children are inspired to create with confidence. Their voices and expressions were so powerful that it gained momentum enough for Manasi and Chhavi to build an organisation, Saturday Art Class, with the very idea that every child deserved a safe space to express themselves. Watch to learn more! "Our students are aware of ideas like self-love, self-care, and positive self-talk, and often try to practice them daily!" Gaurav Jogal and Riddhi Teach for India educators