Frequently Asked Questions
What does SHARP stand for?
SHARP is an acronym that means“Student Historical Art Resource Program.”
Where did the idea for SHARP Literacy come from?
SHARP Literacy has grown from a simple observation of how children react to art to an empirically sound educational initiative that has been found to have significant direct educational benefits to students. SHARP began in 1996 as an arts education outreach program developed in partnership with the Milwaukee Art Museum to encourage cross-discipline studies. The program grew out of the director’s experience as a docent at the Art Museum, where she observed that art animates children’s imaginations. She collaborated with some of Milwaukee’s top educators to develop a grade-specific curriculum that incorporated art as a vehicle to learning about core subjects such as Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.
When was SHARP established?
SHARP became an independent non-profit with 501(c)(3) status in 1999.
Does SHARP teach children how to paint?
The simple answer is no. More importantly, we teach young students how to read and write effectively by using the visual arts and art history as tools for learning their required vocabulary and academic concepts. We do encourage students to think creatively with their writing which can be enhanced by illustrations, but should never replace their writing. For example, second grade students studying Weather, Water, and the Environment in the Science class understand the vocabulary term “whiteout” when they view “Lost in a Blizzard” by early Wisconsin painter Richard Lorenz.
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