Picasso Project

Picasso Project The Picasso Project supports innovative arts programming in Philadelphia public schools.

When children have access to arts in school, they become creative thinkers and better students. Since its inception in 2002, the Picasso Project has provided over 59,000 children access to innovative arts projects by providing grants to their schools. The Picasso Project awards grants to Philadelphia public schools annually to support projects in creative, performing, and digital arts. The goal of

the program is to improve the quality of arts programs at under-resourced schools, improve school climate by giving kids an outlet to work together on projects, and spark student interest by integrating arts with core academic subjects. At the same time, students and teachers at Picasso Project schools use their projects to advocate for funding for school arts programs at both the local and state level so future generations of students can express themselves through art at school. For more information about the Picasso Project, please visit our website: https://www.childrenfirstpa.org/issues/education/picasso-project/

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10/03/2025

In South Korea, rainy days don’t bring gloom they bring magic.

Across Seoul and other cities, sidewalks and streets are painted with invisible ink that reacts only to water. On dry days, it looks like plain concrete. But when it rains, hidden art comes to life.

Bright flowers bloom beneath your feet. Whales swim across crosswalks. Uplifting quotes rise from the ground like whispers from the sky. This is rain-activated art, and it’s turning ordinary streets into living galleries.

The secret lies in a special type of hydrophobic and hydrophilic paint one part repels water, the other absorbs it. The contrast reveals stunning patterns and colors, but only when the rain hits. It’s not just clever design. It’s a reminder that beauty can wait in silence and show itself when you least expect it.

Created to lift spirits during Korea’s monsoon season, this urban art movement blends science, creativity, and emotional uplift. It turns a walk in the rain into an interactive experience part art, part surprise, and entirely unforgettable.

Because sometimes, wonder doesn’t need a spotlight.
It just needs a little rain.

09/30/2025

Comedian and actress Heather McMahan has stepped down as emcee at the Ryder Cup after she joined in on a "F*** you, Rory" chant aimed at Rory McIlroy.

09/30/2025

Tom Watson says he is ashamed of the crowd's behavior at Bethpage.

A joyful final celebration at Stephen Girard Elementary, where first grade students created sensory spaces in the school...
06/21/2023

A joyful final celebration at Stephen Girard Elementary, where first grade students created sensory spaces in the school garden to complement their studies of sustainability and renewable energy. With recycled materials, they made wind chimes, colorful rain barrels, and milk crate seating for future generations of students to enjoy. Thank you to classroom teacher Kristy Katz and teaching artist Iye Yin Dae for your beautiful, inspiring work with Picasso this spring!

06/08/2023

We are the Wind -- check out this beautiful song first grade students at Thomas Holme Elementary composed and performed in their Picasso Project sessions with teaching artist Gretchen Elise and classroom teacher Brett Olson. Props to Mr. Olson for bringing your rapping skills! What better way to deepen a curricular unit on wind, energy, and sustainability while also reinforcing literacy skills. The students say it best: "Thank you for helping us learn literacy through art. ... When you hear the wind from now on, think of our hearts beat, beat, beating." Felicidades, Ms. G, Mr. Olson, and your wonderful classroom!

Music video compilation of We are the Wind, original composition
Music/Lyrics by: Gretchen Elise, Brett Olson, Students of Mr. Olson's 1st Grade Class at Holme Elementary School, School District of Philadelphia
©2023 Gretchen Elise, Brett Olson, Picasso Project
Foundational Track licensed by subscription to Epidemic Sound

Thanks, Vicki Ellis, for this beautiful report from the field, of teaching artist Gretchen Elise and classroom teacher B...
05/31/2023

Thanks, Vicki Ellis, for this beautiful report from the field, of teaching artist Gretchen Elise and classroom teacher Brett Olson's collaboration at Thomas Holme Elementary. Cheers to these young songwriter/musicians!

Just left the inclusive 1st grade class at Holme Elementary that I’ve mentioned before. I’d missed the last two Picasso sessions. It’s always been good and interesting to observe.
Today was different though. Something happened or has happened. There was a cohesion, a beauty of the whole, they seemed an organism moving together as a crowd sometimes does that’s in a flow, a spirit. They were themselves and yet one in a way.
They spent 90 minutes with a musician, Gretchen, artist and their teacher, Brett and classroom assistant, singing, describing what they were singing, drawing their favorite part of their song, learned what “editing” is. They saw their words in their song. They sang the whole bluesy song medley all the way through today including a rap portion by their 1st grade teacher. It was complex and beautiful. Joy was palpable.
I asked the teacher to put words on what I was feeling and observing. He said “they are engaged with the learning, the arts help, music helps a lot.”
I added and “they’re helping each other very sweetly and spontaneously.” He said, “yes.”
The last thing they did was listen to a layered soundscape Gretchen played for them. A train station with chimes twinkling, children laughing and a man announcing the trains. They were rapt.
I’m watching this class at recess now from my car. The movement and joy continue, on the sun drenched, concrete playground, cooled by the breeze; the wind. The wind they’ve read about, sang about, described, drew, wrote about, learned.
I can hear the usual recess glee and I imagine some are still singing their song.

I love seeing H.A. Brown's hallways covered with art and bursting with life each spring at the Multicultural Fair and Ar...
05/30/2023

I love seeing H.A. Brown's hallways covered with art and bursting with life each spring at the Multicultural Fair and Art Show. This year was extra special thanks to the beautiful narrative quilt Jessica Soto's 2nd grade classroom created through their Picasso Project sessions with teaching artists Lisa Jungmin Lee and Ashley Limés Castellana of The Fabric Workshop and Museum. I bet these students will always remember this project on Puerto Rico's culture and history, and I know I will always remember Mrs. Soto's successfully flipped y tan delicioso flan!

Catch Picasso Teaching Artist Gretchen Elise at the FREE Jazz In Fairmount series this Sunday at 4pm at Lemon Hill!
05/19/2023

Catch Picasso Teaching Artist Gretchen Elise at the FREE Jazz In Fairmount series this Sunday at 4pm at Lemon Hill!

Check out the inspiring artwork 6th grade students are creating at Thomas Holme Elementary. In addition to these textile...
05/19/2023

Check out the inspiring artwork 6th grade students are creating at Thomas Holme Elementary. In addition to these textiles they created to complement a unit on Indian culture and history, they'll explore fashion, storytelling, haiku, and more to deepen their studies of China, India, and Japan. Thank you to teaching artist Jihan Thomas, teacher leader Nichole Troy, and classroom teacher Stephen Moser for your collaboration with Picasso this year!

Catch Picasso teaching artist Gretchen Elise at the Portal in West Philly TODAY! performs in the first of six FREE all...
05/11/2023

Catch Picasso teaching artist Gretchen Elise at the Portal in West Philly TODAY! performs in the first of six FREE all-ages music and open mic sessions, Thursdays from 5-7pm May 11–June 15, at the Trolley Portal at 40th and Baltimore.

It was such fun to visit Mrs. Soto's 2nd grade classroom at H.A. Brown Elementary with Picasso teaching artists and Ash...
05/10/2023

It was such fun to visit Mrs. Soto's 2nd grade classroom at H.A. Brown Elementary with Picasso teaching artists and Ashley Limés Castellana. There were lots of 'oohs' and 'ahs' as they learned to screen print on paper and fabric, created 'split fountains' by mixing paint colors, and discovered shapes in their designs. Thanks to The Fabric Workshop and Museum for your collaboration in bringing this wonderful experience to Philadelphia public schools!

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990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 200
Philadelphia, PA
19123

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