The UPSTART Philosophy
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Show kids that art is a universal form of expression, like stories or singing
Just as kids can quickly pick up stories or songs, they can easily turn what they see and imagine into art.
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Don’t suppress creativity with ‘academic’ training
With strict parameters natural creativity can quickly turn to conformity.
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Inspire with modern art…not the Old Masters
Kids can learn more from works that are similar to their own, the paintings of Matisse or Picasso are about pure, personal forms of visual expression.
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Stage regular exhibitions of the kids’ artworks
An art teacher’s first responsibility is to inspire children’s self-confidence, that comes from showing their work.
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Cultivate creative thinkers
Help kids become more self-aware, empathetic, and collaborative—and this generates better grown-ups in the long run.
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Real Connections
Our classes are about face-to-face interactions and genuine friendships. Upstart doesn’t use social media, we would much rather build meaningful connections in the real world.
Adapted from ‘THE SCRIBBLE BOOK’ by Mark Rothko (1934)
As well as being one of the giants of 20th-century painting, Rothko taught art to kids from kinder to grade 8 for over 20 years.