Artreach

ArtReach: Teaching art to underprivileged & autistic children

The Beginning: My Unforgettable Summer at Parikrma Foundation

During the summer of 2024, I embarked on a transformative journey as a volunteer art teacher at Parikrma Humanity Foundation in Bengaluru, India. Parikrma runs four English-medium schools, offering free education to over 1,800 children from the city’s slums. Stepping into my first classroom, I was greeted by curious faces and warm smiles, which quickly eased my nerves and made me realize that I was about to learn as much as I would teach.

Initially, I faced challenges, especially with language barriers. In the Grade 8 class, most conversations happened in Kannada, a language I barely knew despite living in Karnataka my whole life. I observed quietly, hoping to connect, and soon found that kindness and patience bridged the gap. Moving to the Sun class (KG-2), I encountered another hurdle: the children spoke only Tamil and barely understood English. Communicating in broken English and Hindi, I gradually built trust and rapport, and their innocent enthusiasm became the highlight of my week.

My days at Parikrma were filled with interactive art lessons, mentoring students, and helping create props for the annual day. The classroom was not just a place for learning, it was alive with debates about cricket teams, laughter over mispronounced names, and spontaneous moments like a student braiding my hair. The children’s resilience and joy, despite their hardships, inspired me deeply and made my daily commute worthwhile.

Through this experience, I gained a newfound respect for teachers and the challenges they face. Managing diverse classrooms, overcoming language barriers, and leading by example taught me valuable lessons in communication, leadership, and empathy. I built strong bonds with students and teachers, and grew into a more compassionate individual.

My time at Parikrma flew by, leaving me with beautiful memories and a lasting desire to give back. If you’re in Bengaluru, I highly recommend volunteering at Parikrma Humanity Foundation. Find a cause you care about and your journey might just change you forever.

Here’s the link to my article on Parikrma’s website.

Phase 2: Expanding the Reach
Building on its foundation, I founded ArtReach with the goal of extending creative opportunities to more children across Bangalore. Alongside peers, I organized interactive art workshops at several other NGOs. Each session blended instruction with exploration, encouraging participants to paint, craft, and collaborate in ways that celebrated imagination over perfection. Over time, ArtReach grew into a student-led network that used art as a bridge between communities.

Phase 3: Inclusion and Accessibility
Our latest phase focuses on neurodiverse learners, particularly children with autism. Partnering with organisations, we designed sensory-sensitive sessions using clay modelling, finger painting, and tactile materials. These adaptive techniques support emotional regulation, fine motor development, and social engagement. Every workshop is guided by one core idea: art should meet every child where they are.