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ABOUT US
School of Service is a non-profit, 501-C-3 charitable educational organization,
incorporated in August, 1971, by its founder, Columbia architect Hurst John, with
tax-exempt status granted in 1973. Hurst John died in early February 1979.
Following program “blueprints” designed by her architect father for a school
recognizing abilities of the disabled, Susan Newstead continued her father’s plans
for School of Service, and on February 26, 1979, Naoma Powell officially joined the
Board of Directors and became the Director of the program, a position she retained
for the next quarter century.
Access Arts continues to offer classes to groups of all ages, children through seniors. Annual enrollment records show primarily a continuing and consistent growth pattern. From 28 total registrations in its first year, its annual enrollment has grown to exceed 2,000. The program serves a high percentage of disadvantaged populations (66% low income) and offers assisted classes for those with disability (requiring higher costs for implementation). Since poverty is income disability, generous fee waivers and scholarships serve the financially challenged and all high-risk persons. For all participants, the school offers recognition of the arts as a basic foundation necessary in human development. Access Arts activities reach out beyond a 30-mile radius to diverse communities within and surrounding the Columbia area. Eleven four-week units of regular classes are offered each year. Studios are available for advanced students to work independently year-round, and workshops extend class instruction. In addition to regular classes, home-schooled children expand their art experiences in our studios. Special needs classes in pottery, writing, music, and weaving are scheduled for those with physical and/or mental disabilities with special assistance offered each participant. Clients from Boone County Family Resources and Woodhaven Learning Center are among the regular special needs enrollees of Access Arts. Access Arts outreach programs include lessons and demonstrations for schools, Scout troops, pre-school day care centers, school field trips from nearby counties, visiting foreign students, church, mosque and synagogue youths. Demonstrations of weaving, spinning and wheel-thrown pottery are scheduled by request at schools and craft fairs. From these early introductions, many continue active participation in the arts throughout their lives; all will gain an appreciation for the arts. During its more than 25 years of growth, the School has changed from a limited, full-time, multi-function volunteer staff to a paid teaching staff averaging fifteen, a paid, full-time maintenance engineer, and a three-quarter-time, paid administrative/records staff. Beginning July 2005, a matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts has helped to fund a salaried director for the school, Christopher Sharp. An active volunteer program supplements services the School offers its students and the community. Access Arts facilities have developed from a basement-corner classroom to a three-building campus with classrooms well-designed for studio working space and equipped with highly professional tools and equipment to match or exceed the quality of any studio in the region. The Missouri Arts Council, the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs, and various foundations and civic organizations supplement program funding. Of unusual significance is the 25% of total budget funding that comes from individual supporters, primarily in small donations, multiplied many times over by those who value the School. Access Arts remains a school of service for all people. The current Board of Directors are:
Vice President Wayne Pfeffer (term expires May 2010) Secretary Jacqueline Litt (term expires Feb. 2013) Treasurer Jeremiah Turner (term expires Nov. 2014) Director Margaret Walter (term expires Mar. 2014) Director Mary Jane Thorne (term expires Oct. 2011) Director Andrea Heiss (term expires Feb. 2014) Director Lili Vianello (term expires Feb. 2014)
David Leuthold |
Open to all ages, accessible to a range of abilities, disabilities and economic
circumstance, Access Arts is a place for learning centered on the arts and dedicated
in service to people. Staff qualifications, program, professional equipment
and facilities, an open studio policy for students beyond classroom experience,
seminars with recognized artists: each indicates concern for all people to
experience artistic expression and quality. Community outreach through
teaching and demonstrations in the arts for public schools and home schoolers, for
churches and civic groups, for agencies dedicated to the disabled and disadvantaged
extends community benefits. Broad area financial support shows the reciprocal
and collaborative aspect of community involvement in Access Arts programs.