“This program has been essential in uplifting our children in such a powerful and positive way. “
– Cynthia New Holy, Teacher, Isna Wica Owayawa
Now in our 5th year, the Mitakuye School Arts Program enrolls over 2,000 kids each year, providing them with arts curriculum, instruction – via our filmed lessons, and art supplies. We filmed a whole new season of lessons this year and introduced several new mediums into the curriculum. Here are some of our classrooms in action!
We filmed our latest season of lessons with master arts educator and instructor Vicky Kosuda…
Our new lessons incorporated new mediums and expanded our offerings for all age groups and levels…
This is what some of our teachers have to say about the program:
“The Mitakuye Foundation has been a huge support for our community on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The work of the Mitakuye Foundation has been so essential in our community that deals with poverty, generational traumas, and limited resources to the art world. This program has been essential in uplifting our children in such a powerful and positive way.”
– Cynthia New Holy, Teacher, Isna Wica Owayawa
“The Mitakuye School Arts Program provides students with many new learning opportunities. The program is the answer to a lack of consistent art instruction on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.“
– Shawn Callanan, Teacher, Wolf Creek
“Art allows our students to showcase who they are and truly express themselves. The programs offered by the Mitakuye Foundation allow us as a school to provide more opportunities to our students to do just that. There is nothing better than seeing the smiles on the students’ faces when they hear that it is art time! They truly light up! Seeing the skills they learn from the videos being applied to their art and in other areas is amazing. We are so lucky to have been working with the Mitakuye Foundation and we hope to continue our partnership for years to come!”
– Alexis Hogan, Teacher He Dog School
“This is a beautiful program that gives students many different perspectives from different levels. The lessons are beautifully done. They love that you go step by step especially since many think they can’t do it… and the cheers after they are done are so amazing … what an amazing gift for these students to have.“
– Teresa Graham, Teacher, Red Cloud High School
“Mitakuye is a great program that allows our Indigenous students to experience different art mediums that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to be exposed to. Students love getting to experiment with different mediums and express themselves through art. Pilamayaye Mitakuye for the opportunity!”
-Jessi Bean, Teacher, American Horse School
“I value your program so much and appreciate all that you are able to offer to our students!! Mitakuye Art has made me an art teacher! Thank you!!“
– Anne Abold, Teacher, Wolf Creek
“Art was not in our program. The supplies you sent were the only art supplies we had this school year for art. Art is in our hearts and hands, the children are natural artists!”
– Twila Zephier, Teacher, Little Wound School
“The students love art and this is so important. Thank you for this opportunity to have Art in our school again. “
– Theresa Lessert, Principal, Our Lady of Lourdes School
“The impact of the Foundation has changed the opportunities available for the youth on the reservation. Community members look to the Mitakuye Foundation as a positive youth force and a positive change agent for the reservation.”
– Saunie Wilson, Formal Tribal Judge and Dean Of Students, Wolf Creek School
Our School Arts program is our most popular and far reaching endeavor to date. We are hoping to focus more resources and energy on this program so we can continue to expand our library of lessons and expand the reach of the program to serve as many kids as possible.
We hope you will click HERE to help us to continue to bring the healing power of art to the wonderful young people we work with!