The returns are in, and they’ve been in for decades: Children benefit exponentially, probably in ways we can’t imagine, from exposure to the arts. Critical thinking, cellular development, capacity for everyday problem solving: All are touched in one way or another amid a session or two with a paintbrush or a dowdy ol’ keyboard, and all are markedly enhanced throughout the student’s life. Yet cuts in California’s school arts programs are legendary as the state struggles year after year to find new sources of revenue. The New Children’s Museum, which opened May 4 with educational collaboration its stated purpose, has instituted a program designed to shore up some of the backlash from local arts education funding cuts. But while the program’s intent is no different from scores of others across the state, its creators are aware that a key component could spell its success or failure. Friday, Oct. 10, marks the last day of a three-week pilot program in which students from Downtown’s Washington Elementary School will have spent three weeks at the museum, taking their regular classes in the facility’s Arts Education Center. The 50 third-graders participated in a curriculum designed to enhance creativity through examination of objects in new ways, with their own empowerment as artists the goal. In addition, students from Downtown’s Monarch School will participate in after-school arts enrichment programs throughout the schoolyear. “There is an amazing creativity in every child,” said museum director Rachel Teagle. “What becomes an issue is accessibility and how often children really get the opportunity to tap into that creativity. I’m just so happy that Washington Elementary and Monarch School have made such real efforts.” “We are thrilled to be participating in this valuable program with The New Children’s Museum, which is providing much-needed access to arts programming,”?explained Washington principal Janie Wardlow in a statement. “Our students would not otherwise be exposed to the visual arts or have these kinds of meaningful learning experiences.” Teagle cautioned, however, that exposure to the arts is one thing and that guidance is something else. Even the most well-intentioned volunteer may not always be compatible with such a program due to lack of disciplinary or teaching skills. Mark Schwarz, who teaches the Washington third-graders, is aware of this — and unless the museum carefully cultivates its volunteers, future programs may breed the potential for harm. “We as teachers and [museum staff] have results we’d like to see,” he said. “Those are based on standards for arts education in the state of California. But this is also kind of a cutting-edge thing. We’re pushing the envelope in arts instruction, and we’re wanting to see kids grow in that way. That’s probably not something you can do in a two-hour volunteer training session. “It would be like a volunteer coming in and reading with the kid without knowing what the purpose of the reading is. It’s not unhelpful, but it’s not as powerful as it could be, and in some cases it could be detrimental.” Lauren Popp, the museum’s volunteer coordinator, said the facility anticipates the need for guidance among those who seek to donate their time. “We haven’t met yet with any of those who’ve asked to volunteer,”?Popp said, “but when we do, I want them to be able to share what they can about the program with visitors. I?want them to be able to help the kids engage with the artwork safely. “I also want them to be aware of our mission, what’s important to us here at the museum as well.” Since opening to the public, the museum has hosted more than 80 school tours and visits from nonprofit educational groups. Close to 4,000 students have experienced “childsplay,”?the museum’s opening exhibit, and the venue’s hands-on studios. Many young artists have participated in a variety of arts-based camps and workshops, while moms and toddlers have been enjoying weekly music and movement classes. Museum sets fundraiser to benefit education unit On Oct. 11, the museum will hold its first gala fundraiser, with proceeds going toward proper outfitting of the Arts Education Center. “We’re still using folding tables,”?Teagle said. “We’d like to have proper classroom furniture. We’d like to have computers. We’d like to have books on the shelves. We hope we’re going to have a really successful gala that will help us do that.” Tickets range from $75 to $500. Teagle said the museum can seat 400 for dinner and accommodate 400 for the party afterward. Rock legend Pat Benatar and her husband, acclaimed guitarist Neil Giraldo, are slated to perform. The museum is located at 200 W. Island Ave. More information about the fundraiser and the museum’s programs is available at 233-8792 or www.thinkplaycreate.org.