Bad Art Night: A No Pressure Craft Program.
Bad Art Night programs have gained in popularity over the last couple of years. The concept is simple: Provide an array of art supplies and let your teen patrons go to town. There is no pressure to create a masterpiece, just the opposite; participants are encouraged to create something tacky and ugly.Kristen White from the Hancock County Public Library had noticed that when she ran other craft programs for teens, they were concerned about "messing up" and didn't have as much fun as she hoped. With Bad Art Night, the intention is to have fun and throw a hideous creation together; you literally cannot do it wrong.
For set-up, grab everything you can from your craft supply closet. Most librarians stated the program did not cost them any money, because they used what they had on hand. You can decide if you want to run the program as a competition (prizes for ugliest art) or as a make-and-take event.
When Keri Weston-Stoll, the youth librarian at Waukee Public Library hosted her event for teens, she had twenty participants. She set up three stations: one with Playdoh and tools (toothpicks, plastic knives, and craft sticks); a painting station; and a collage station (paper, glue, scissors, and old magazines). At the end of the hour, teens showed their work and had an opportunity to vote on their favorites.
Weston-Stoll said that she thought she would get negative feedback when she advertised the event. "I was prepared to get complaints or feedback from the public that 'There is no such thing as bad art,' but we didn't. I was ready to answer that by calling it bad art to begin with, we were taking pressure off of teens who may not be as confident about their artistic skills."
The program at Waukee Public Library was a huge success. "I have been working with teens in libraries for twelve years, and this was one of the most positive art programs I have ever had," stated Weston-Stoll.
The Alameda Free Library also provides stuffed animals, action figures, dolls, and donated toys for the teens to transform. Hallie Fields, the teen services librarian, does not run their Bad Art night as a competition, and the library displays the creations for a week following the program. When Fields advertised the event, the posters stated, "We will supply feathers, glitter, rhinestones, and recycled materials to help you bring out your inner bad artist. Artistic abilities and skills are not necessary, but we hope you'll bring a willingness to try and a sense of humor. At this no-pressure event, we hope you'll leave your worries about good taste at home and do your best 'bad' work."
This program works for tweens, teens, and new adults. Clean out your craft cupboard, grab all those leftovers from previous crafts you do not know what to do with, and let the teens unleash their creative side with no pressure to get it "just right."
TIPS FOR TRYING A BAD ART PROGRAM
To teens, bad art = glitter. So much was used that glitter was still on the floor a month later.
Separate your supplies. Place paint, glitter, and the like on one table and place the tools on another.
Decide ahead of time if you are going to keep their creations while they dry.
Cover the work tables with butcher paper for easier cleanup.
--Kristen White, Hancock County Public Library
Jennifer Stickles has sixteen years of public library experience, the majority of that in youth services. She currently is the head of youth and adult programs at the Olean Public Library in New York. She can be reached at jstickles@oleanlibrary.org.
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| Title Annotation: | get with the program |
|---|---|
| Author: | Stickles, Jennifer |
| Publication: | Voice of Youth Advocates |
| Geographic Code: | 1USA |
| Date: | Apr 1, 2019 |
| Words: | 610 |
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