After noticing a lack of arts programs for children with autism and neurodivergence in his community, Justin Freeman (PM, ‘25) was determined to find a solution. Combining his experiences of volunteering and teaching children on the spectrum with his background in music, Justin established ArtSPARKS! – a camp that provides special needs children experiences in music, dance and visual arts.
The program was designed with passion and love for educating children of all needs and abilities with a goal of enriching their lives and stimulating their creativity. This summer, ArtSparks will kick off through OCSA’s CSArts Academy summer program, which offers fun arts classes to children ages 5-15.
Justin was able to create this program and involve his community with the help of his mentors, Mr. Teren Shaffer, OCSA’s president and CEO, and Brianna Shaffer, as well as the Dragon Kim Foundation and CSArts Academy. The Shaffers were integral in helping him develop the program, while the Dragon Kim Foundation helped him fund it through its fellowship program.
“The Dragon Kim Foundation gave me skills that proved essential in my leadership and management roles. The initial funding provided by the Foundation got me started. Without it, I may not have been able to launch my project,” Justin said.
Mr. Shaffer introduced Justin to Mr. Brian Stevens, director of community engagement and leader of CSArts Academy, in order to collaborate on an ArtSPARKS! pilot program. Mr. Stevens said he’s been very excited to see it all come together.
“All kiddos deserve quality access to the arts! OCSA and CSArts Academy offer so many exceptional opportunities in a wide variety of arts disciplines and it makes sense that we extend to offer that high quality arts education for students of all needs and abilities. I’m really looking forward to seeing this grow and thrive,” said Mr. Stevens.
Justin was also joined by nearly 20 volunteers, including OCSA students, friends, and family. He said classes like ArtSPARKS! are especially important because of the connection that children, especially those on the spectrum, have to the arts. He believes that as a community, we should foster the growth of young artists with all needs and abilities to see how powerfully impactful they can be on the world.
The goal for ArtSPARKS!, for both now and the future, is to change lives, impact the community for the better, teach students new lessons, introduce them to new experiences, and so much more.
“I hope that all who partake in the program enjoy it as much as I have. This camp has come from the bottom of my heart and soul and I have worked very hard for it to reach others,” Justin said.
ArtSPARKS! will begin Monday, July 22 during the 2024 CSArts Academy Summer session. Longtime OCSA instructor Ms. Cristen Skoglund will lead the classes for this first-time CSArts Academy offering. Justin said he expects there to be lots of fun and musical learning ahead for students enrolled.
For more information about all of CSArts Academy offerings, please click here.