The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum Receives Grant from Target for Education Initiatives

August, 2007

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum today announced a partnership with Target in recognition of its efforts to inform adults and children about the importance of connecting to our world through contemporary art. This grant will specifically support The Aldrich’s Student Docent Program.

The Student Docent Program is a school program for grades five through twelve, designed to equip students with the skills needed to discover and connect with contemporary art. Student Docents attend five after-school training sessions with a Museum educator for each exhibition.  These training sessions use an inquiry-based approach to teach students the skills needed to decode and analyze a work of art.  When training is complete, the Docents use the same approach to engage their classmates in a conversation about the art during a class field trip to the Museum.  Led through the exhibitions by their peers, students on the tour are more likely to make connections between the work on view and their own experiences.

Nina Carlson, director of education, says, “We are very grateful to receive this generous donation and so pleased that it will go to support such an exemplary program.” Carlson adds, “The Student Docent Program equips Student Docents and their peers with the skills and confidence necessary to interpret the visual world.  It encourages students to think in new directions about contemporary art and its relationship to their own lives, increases their ability to discover and derive meaning from works of art, and helps them to build their own interpretation of the world around them.”

This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5% of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, and safe families and communities. Today that translates to $3 million every week.

“At Target, we are making a real difference every day through our grant-making program,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “We’re proud to partner with The Aldrich as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work.”

Additionally, Target also gives through signature programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families. Programs include:

About The Aldrich
The Aldrich is one of the few non-collecting contemporary art museums in the United States. Founded on Ridgefield’s historic Main Street in 1964, the Museum enjoys the curatorial independence of an alternative space while maintaining the registrarial and art-handling standards of a national institution. Exhibitions feature work by emerging and mid-career artists, and education programs inform adults and children about the importance of connecting to our world through contemporary art. The Museum is located at 258 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877. For more information call 203.438.4519.

About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,502 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

Image: New World Kids, education progam at The Aldrich, 2007