Power on imagination

The mission of Engaging Creative Minds is to spark creativity and curiosity in all learners through innovative and experiential learning.

What is Arts Integration?

ECM

Power On

ECM is a nationally recognized award-winning South Carolina nonprofit committed to helping school-day educators and out-of-school-time programs succeed by leveraging the arts, cultural organizations, and STEM professionals working in partnerships with teachers, principals, and superintendents during the school day, summer, and after school.

Summer Camp

ECM’s Summer STEAM Institute (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) is a 6-week camp for rising K-8th graders designed to prevent summer learning loss and provide on-site professional development for teachers.

In School

ECM Coaches work with ECM Instructors and teachers to bring Engaged Learning Experiences (ELEs) into K-8th grade classrooms.

Afterschool

ECM hosts a variety of afterschool programs for K-12 using arts integration, STEAM, and entrepreneurship as a springboard for learning state standards and a hook for engagement, attendance and building positive relationships.

Entrepreneurship

In the fall of 2021, ECM created a K-12 pipeline by merging with YEScarolina, a nonprofit that has supported thousands of South Carolina 9-12 students to build business plans and fuel their entrepreneurial spirit.

Professional Development

ECM empowers and supports teachers in school, after school, and during the summer through its various arts integration and entrepreneurship programs. ECM’s model of “teacher as learner” promotes hands-on experiential learning for all educators and artists.

School Grants

20% of net proceeds from ECM’s annual fundraiser, The Charleston Half Marathon, are awarded to schools and districts each year to support arts integration projects.

Some of these programs are supported by Arts Grow SC, which is funded by the South Carolina Arts Commission and the South Carolina Department of Education through American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds.

About

Providing educational support and resources

The mission of Engaging Creative Minds is to spark creativity and curiosity in all learners through innovative and experiential learning.

We hire and train local artists, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) professionals, and cultural organizations, called ECM Instructors, to work with teachers in grades K-12 to enhance student learning via arts integrated learning using innovation, ingenuity, and creativity. Our goal is for every student to achieve academically, stay engaged in school and succeed in life while their teachers develop engaging teaching strategies like arts integration and entrepreneurship that foster communication, critical thinking, self-awareness, and future planning.

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Engaging results

Our evidence-based K-12 system is directly aligned with the new ARP education recovery funds and increases attendance, engagement, and school morale.

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Teachers and students agree

Teachers consistently give ECM high marks regarding the impact of our in-school Engaged Learning Experiences (ELEs) on student learning.

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Testimonials

What I love most about ECM is the joy, the spark, the HOPE that you have provided for our students. School can be fun again, and each child has something to add to our group!

Jessica Pym Barnwell County School District

I learned so much from teaching the summer camp at ECM! I have set up a “maker space table ” in my classroom for early finishers, and I have used many of the challenges to get the students to think outside the box.

Jodi Traeger Art (K-5), Goose Creek Elementary

Our little sponge! She loves learning and never ceases to amaze us and make us incredibly proud! Abby spent a few weeks this summer at @engagingcreativeminds STEAM CAMP and I have to say it was the ABSOLUTE BEST thing we could have done! She was learning, creating, being challenged, but most of all she was having a BLAST. We are beyond lucky to be her parents, never change Abs. We love you!

Kelly Bradley

Engaging Creative minds came to Sanders-Clyde near the end of the year. It was so wonderful to see how “Engaged” the children were. Learning cannot take place until children are ready to learn. ECM allowed the children to learn in their most natural state: movement, play, drawing. It helped them socially-emotionally which over time would lead to minds ready to learn. It is imperative for all children to have integrated arts in their learning especially when they have faced hardships. They have to find a way to express themselves and have some feelings of control. There is no better way than through art. I have the utmost respect for this program. Please continue the awesome work!

Emily Cruse

The 4th grade residency this week was fabulous!! The kids loved it and so did the teachers. They had excellent things to say about the artist. Thanks for letting us be a part of your fantastic organization!!

Michelle Conner Former Principal, ARCAE