Art Encounter’s Mission, History, and Methodology

OUR MISSION

At Art Encounter, we believe that there are many ways to see, and that art can be a powerful vehicle to better understand ourselves and the world around us. Our mission is to educate, empower, and connect people of all ages and backgrounds through interactive encounters with visual art. We offer a broad menu of programs that includes interactive art tours and travel; hands-on programs for students, seniors, and adults with disabilities; and a community mural initiative. The cohesive thread between all our programs is the art encounter: an engaging, inclusive approach to learning rooted in the power of bringing people together through art.

OUR HISTORY

Art Encounter was founded in 1978 by three artists—Joanna Pinsky, Ellen Kamerling, and Bonnie Hartenstein—who shared the goal of making art more accessible and essential to lifelong learning. Our founders believed that experiencing visual art firsthand is the most effective tool for understanding the creative process, and that close and meaningful encounters with original art can open a window to learning and self-discovery. Together, they developed a unique, interactive discussion method that helped viewers explore artistic concepts while sharing individual perceptions. This signature approach became the basis for all of Art Encounter’s future programming.

Our first programs served seniors in community centers, followed by programs for the general public, which brought groups to Chicago area artists’ studios, private art collections, galleries, and special exhibitions. Over the next few years, we added more programs for underserved students and older adults, bringing original artworks by professional local artists to schools and senior residences for interactive discussions and analysis paired with hands-on creative projects. In 1986, we launched a travel program to bring our members on art trips around the globe. And in 2017, we expanded our initiatives to the public art sector through our Evanston Mural Arts Program, which works with local partners to transform public spaces with murals by professional artists and members of the community. Since our organization’s founding, our administrative home has been at the Noyes Cultural Art Center in Evanston, IL.

OUR SIGNATURE METHOD, THE ART ENCOUNTER

Whether we are working with students in public schools, residents of senior homes, or members visiting an artist studio, all of Art Encounter's programs are built around our own signature discussion method. We believe that people learn best through sharing and connecting with others, and that teaching by asking questions is the most effective way to encourage participants to think independently while learning from each other. With these ideas in mind, each "Art Encounter" involves looking closely at an artwork and taking part in a guided discussion. Our approach is rooted in Maxine Greene’s theory of aesthetic education (notice deeply, question, make connections, and exhibit empathy) and driven by the Socratic Method (teaching by way of asking questions). The process is also related to Philip Yenawine’s Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a student-centered facilitation method that uses visual images to foster inclusive discussions that build students’ abilities to decode complex and diverse material. Art Encounter’s approach combines these ideas to create an interactive experience that helps participants gain a greater appreciation for the creative process while connecting and learning from each other.