Teaching artists utilize PTM exhibits to create original digital content.

ArtistYear, the first AmeriCorps program committed to addressing the nation’s arts education gap through a national service arts corps, has partnered with Please Touch Museum to extend its reach in delivering digital arts programming using the Museum’s exhibits as inspiration for content. Six teaching fellows – including musicians, playwrights and painters – are creating these digital arts series in the Museum’s brand new Centennial Innovations exhibit for members and visitors to enjoy at home beginning this winter.

Members will be able to sign up for live at-home workshops with the ArtistYear AmeriCorps Fellows through our new virtual program offering called Xpression, and the Museum will also begin to offer on-demand digital programming for the public via PleaseTouchMuseum.org starting in February.

ArtistYear Fellows

ArtistYear is currently offering arts programming to students in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia via their PSTV education channel and through live programming with schools and partner-teachers in the district. The partnership with Please Touch Museum will further expand the reach for these talented, civic-minded teaching artists.

“ArtistYear AmeriCorps Fellows are coming together around a common purpose,” said Margo Drakos, Cofounder and CEO of ArtistYear. “They are pushing the boundaries to democratize access to arts learning for all youth – virtually and in-person, no matter their zip code, and we are thrilled to partner with Please Touch Museum to broaden the reach of these talented artists.”

“We are thrilled to provide thematic arts-based programming to members and visitors at home during the Museum’s closure,” said Olivia Thomas, Chief Learning Officer for Please Touch Museum. “The benefits of learning through play in early childhood is critical, and creative expression through art is one more way to support children during this challenging time.”

In the coming weeks, members will be encouraged via email to sign up for Xpression workshops. For those who are not currently PTM members and are interested in signing up for this new live programming offering, please visit our Membership page to become a member today.

PTM’s partnership with ArtistYear has been funded in part by PECO/Exelon, the Connelly Foundation and the Ladies Aid Society of the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

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Help us create the future of play.

Programming such as Xpression and our on-demand digital series with ArtistYear provide essential learning opportunities through play for young children who are discovering the world around them.

Please help us continue programs such as these by supporting our urgent $5 million Creating the Future of Play Campaign.