NEWS RELEASE
ELORA CENTRE FOR THE ARTS
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The Elora Centre for the Arts has decided to respond to community need this winter by temporarily closing their doors to the public, to provide a safe and supported environment for university, college or high school students who are remote learning in our community.
The “Satellite Learning & Art Stations for Students” is a free program that offers distanced desk spaces, on-site teacher support and the opportunity to engage in creative outlet art projects for mental health.
The two galleries and workshop have been converted for the project, wi-fi has been upgraded to handle extra internet load requirements, and additional cleaning and sanitization protocols have been put in place. However, the program is more than just safely distanced learning stations.
“We have created an environment where students can feel supported” says Lianne Carter, Executive Director at the Elora Centre for the Arts. “We have teachers on site to help them with their school assignments, we have creative art projects that they can explore if they wish, and at this point we hope it’s a reason for them to get up, get dressed and have a much-needed change of scenery.”
Many post-secondary and secondary students in our area don’t have reliable internet, or a quiet place to work at home. “Mental health, feelings of isolation and lack of creative outlets continue to be a concern for our whole community” says Carter. “We hope this student support program will help in some small way” she says.
The program is free for university, college and/or high school students, but registration is mandatory due to limited capacity. Students sign up in 3-week blocks for either Wednesday or Friday mornings or Wednesday or Friday afternoons, starting Feb. 10.
Registration is live - for more information or to register please visit our website at https://eloracentreforthearts.ca/event/satellite-learning-art-stations-for-students/
This program has been made free to students in our community thanks to the generosity of the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Response Fund administered by the Centre Wellington Community Foundation, in addition to community donations through the ECFTA Giving Tuesday fundraising campaign, support from the Good Foundation and The Guelph Community Foundation.
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