Thought leaders in a number of fields are taking about 21st century skills, the skills we need to compete in this century. In the 20th century, workers needed to be able to drive, to do basic math, to type, to read, to speak English. In our new economy, a completely different set of skills is important for success. There’s no consensus yet on just what that set of skills will turn out to be, but one of the top contenders is creativity.
As business leaders and educators focus more on how to develop creativity, parents become more concerned about helping their kids develop their creativity. One franchise business is stepping in to fill this need.
Art projects where students follow step by step directions to assemble a bunch of pieces into a generic “work of art” don’t teach children how to think creatively. Abrakadoodle aims at changing that and giving families, students, and schools the tools they need for creative art education.
Abrakadoodle is a franchise system based on the idea that you can teach art techniques to children and that creativity is the basis of education. With programs that exceed the National Standards for Visual Arts Education, Abrakadoodle provides different programs and has an approach that many other educational franchises don’t even attempt—teaching in public and private schools.
Abrakadoodle offers traditional after-school programs and classes as well as art parties for birthdays and events. Summer art camps are also a staple of the Abrakadoodle franchise method. These offerings are proven winners used by many education-focused franchises. The most unusual aspect of the Abrakadoodle franchises system is their presence in schools.
Fewer than half of U.S. schools have a full-time art teacher, and many schools have no qualified art teachers at all. Often a school district will hire a teacher who travels from one school to another to teach a variety of art lessons to different age groups. But as schools lose funding, art classes are often one of the first parts of childhood education to go. Abrakadoodle reduces the cost of art teachers by providing instruction to districts without all the added costs of hiring a full-time employee.
As Abrakadoodle introduces art to students in school, children who love art and want to pursue it more outside of school will turn to familiar faces and want to take lessons with Abrakadoodle teachers in after-school and summer camp programs. By breaking into the community through schools, Abrkadoodle establishes authority and provides the best possible references for private gigs.
Parents also love Abrakadoodle classes and the fact that they’re tied to real artists’ work instead of just boxed activities. Teachers spend time talking about art techniques and the artists who used them and then move on to applying those techniques with students in their own artwork. It’s an effective approach that resonates at school and at home.
Franchisees don’t have to be skilled artists to open an Abrakadoodle franchise but must be capable of managing employees and taking care of sales and billing. While sufficient training is provided, successful franchisees typically have previous business experience or education experience.
Consider Abrakadoodle as a franchise business opportunity that can provide personal satisfaction as well as differentiation from competitors.
