Editorial

n Educational Program Where Having Fun is as Important as Learning

KidzArt Franchises

KidzArt^® franchisees have two things in common: they love children and they sincerely want to make a difference in the lives of others.

Franchising since 2002, KidzArt (of New Braunfels, Texas) is a home-based, turnkey opportunity. With 34 locations in 20 states, they are adding two to four new Franchises a month. While territories are available all over the country, current “hot” areas include the East Coast, Georgia, California, Washington and the Midwest.

KidzArt Franchises

What is KidzArt?
This is a drawing-based art education program for preschoolers, elementary age children and adults, aimed at increasing skill and knowledge in various art mediums. Using instructional drawing methods and high quality art materials, franchisees and their employees will teach classes in producing original, representational art. Even young children quickly master these techniques and achieve dramatic results.

Shell Herman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of KidzArt, says the program can be used as an academic curriculum or as an enriching experience, increasing self-esteem and enhancing self-expression. By developing their individual creativity, kids and adults alike will find the experience positively impacts all areas of their lives.

"We offer much more than the foundational drawing program – we also offer a variety of art projects and activities that are consistent with and build on the principals – format and structure of our proven model,” says Herman. “This adds up to success for both the student and the Franchise owner!”

Classes are taught in schools, retirement centers, retail stores, etc., meaning the franchisee has very low overhead. Popular with home-schooling organizations, day care centers, pre-schools, after school programs, and senior centers, KidzArt quickly becomes an important resource in the community.

An "Ah-Ha!" Moment

“There was just this overwhelming desire to bring art to children on a large scale once I became a parent myself. I knew what needs – both for myself and for children – that I wanted to fulfill. But it was a real ‘Ah ha!’ moment when I realized both could be met by developing the KidzArt program,” says Herman. Herman has published articles on such topics as “Living Your Passion,” and “Doing What You Love for a Living.”

With a Master of Science degree in Career Counseling, Herman has been a High School teacher, trainer, counselor and business owner. Her partner, Chris Cruikshank (Co-founder and President) has an MA in psychology and is an artist with a variety of business experiences. Friends since the age of ten, the team has decades of business, teaching and coaching experience which they draw on for KidzArt.

What Can Kidz Art Offer You?

Home-based business. No costly start-up fee; no build-out.
Small, low-cost inventory. Initial inventory included in franchise fee. Purchase supplies from approved suppliers at a discount, only when you need them.
Complete training − no previous art experience necessary.
Curriculum covering a variety of art mediums is provided every month.
Advertising and media assistance.
On-going support.
Satisfaction of bringing art in to the lives of your neighbors.
Members Only Web site offering marketing materials, supplier information.

Ideal Franchisee Personality

Besides loving to work with children, a good franchisee is a team player, says Herman. “They should also be the type of person who is actively involved in their community and has a degree of visibility.”

An ability to hire and retain employees is a valuable asset as a franchise grows and more teachers are needed. “A franchisee should be a visionary and will need to expand the business to take it to the next level.”

Herman also feels that being flexible, organized and having an outgoing personality are important attributes for a KidzArt franchisee.

KidzArt in the Community

KidzArt Franchises Due to budget cuts that continue to affect school programs in such creative areas as art and music, the KidzArt program is a valuable resource for schools who want to offer enrichment programs.

KidzArt can go into a preschool and do an art program for the whole school or offer enrichment programs to an elementary school where they already have art classes. The classes are also popular with Senior Citizen groups and retirement homes where the classes are both fun and therapeutic.

“We also partner with retail centers, and do classes in stores such as hobby and craft shops,” says Herman. “We can set up classes in almost any location you can think of. We do summer camps and work with churches.” The portability of the program makes it flexible and adaptable to almost any venue.

The Value of Art
Participation in art projects is recognized as reinforcing academic readiness in preschoolers. Art develops creativity and being creative leads to increased abilities in problem solving, an important attribute in our every changing, technology-based world.

The KidzArt projects, which are done in a fun, supportive and non-competitive environment, help to build self esteem in children by allowing them to be successful.

As Herman says, “KidzArt does make a difference! If you show children that they can draw, they feel they can do almost anything.”

How to Live Your Dream
Herman’s goal in starting KidzArt was to bring art into the lives of “one million kids” in the next five years. As she says, “You can do what you love for a living and have fun in the process. Best of all, you will make a huge difference in the lives of both children and adults in your community. It’s a real joy when you watch a child experience their own ‘Ah ha!’ moment when realizing that they can draw.”