Art can not only imitate life--it can define it. Options for
those looking to become a franchise owner are more diverse than
ever, and you don't have to be relegated to investing your
money and time with a franchise you truly don't have a passion
for. More people who have business skills and also appreciate art
and children are viewing children's art franchises not only as
an investment in and of themselves, but also in the community and
its children.
According to Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, the number
of children's-learning franchise units grew 25 percent between
2002 and 2004. In the same period, children's enrichment
program units leapt 55 percent.
This interest in children's art franchises is growing from
both a need and a want, from both prospective franchisees and
parents looking to enrich their children's lives. Something all
parties involved recognize is the importance of art and its
continued presence in a child's life, despite cuts made in
school programs.
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Don't underestimate these franchises as just glorified day
care with art thrown in, says franchise consultant George Knauff:
"They are true valid business models with high
potential." Knauff points to Young
Rembrandts and Abrakadoodle
as examples of franchises attracting the attention of ex-corporate
executives, such as a couple he recently worked with. The husband,
a high-powered lawyer, and wife, a TV producer, were seeking a way
to make a good living and contribute to the community...and decided
to buy a children's art franchise.
Art franchises identify a gap that budget cuts in the school
system have left wide open: Art education is on the chopping block.
Mary Rogers, founder of Abrakadoodle, points to a National Art
Education Association study that reveals about 45 percent of public
schools are without a full-time visual arts teacher. And for the
other 55 percent, teachers are saddled, on average, with a caseload
of 550 students. Luckily, just because schools have cut art out of
their curriculum, parents are not allowing it to disappear from
their children's lives--they're looking to businesses like
Abrakadoodle and Young Rembrandts to fill that gap. "[At Young
Rembrandts], we feel we have a mission to reclaim the nation for
the arts," says Bette Fetter, founder of the franchise.
A curriculum centered on drawing, Young Rembrandts uses a unique
step-by-step teaching method. "Art is a right brain activity,
and our school systems are pushing left brain stuff," Fetter
attests. "We're taking a right brain drawing, and we teach
it in a left brain method." Offering classes to preschool and
elementary students, Young Rembrandts teaches drawing and
cartooning and holds themed drawing camps.
Abrakadoodle offers an art education program that exposes
children to an array of materials and mediums. Ranging from
painting to 3-D to modeling compound, children are taught to see
the art in everyday life. Exposing students to both master and
contemporary artists, Abrakadoodle even has a food designer show
her work as an example of still life. Abrakadoodle specializes in
the early childhood market and has even partnered with Binney and
Smith's Crayola to provide art supplies.
In addition to wanting to sign up their kids for these art
classes, parents are looking to also sign themselves up as
franchisees. Says Fetter, "Parents buying these franchises are
a big trend." Fetter makes it clear to these franchisees that
the franchise is about more than just art--"it's about
having a phenomenal, educational experience for a child."
Abrakadoodle boasts a franchisee roster with a highly educated
staff of owners. Each has at least a BA in education, two with
MBAs, two with PhDs. Their franchisees consist of men and women who
vary in ages, and who may or may not be parents. The thread that
connects them, says Rogers, is "they are comfortable in
marketing and being in a leadership role."
Young Rembrandts franchisees are predominantly women who have
left the corporate world after having kids, Fetter says.
"They'd like to work a healthy business that matches up
with this time in their life with children and community
involvement," she explains. Though some educators are among
Young Rembrandts franchisees, a certified elementary teaching
degree is not required. "We consider it more important for
someone to be a managerial, community-involved, people
person," says Fetter.
Art isn't the only activity parents are looking to get their
children involved in, it seems, but art education franchises are
definitely reaping the benefits of parents who want more
well-rounded kids. "The trend has definitely grown,"
notes Fetter. "Science, gymnastics, art, drama--I've
noticed more offerings across the board."
Perhaps it's a sign of the times, when getting back to
basics is a welcome respite from our fast-paced digital world.
"Kids need an outlet other than video games and
computers," says Knauff.
As far as the couple Knauff was helping find a franchise, they
have just finished their training at Abrakadoodle. Says Knauff,
"They're so excited to play a role in the community, have
the quality of life they want, have a great business and do things
they couldn't do in a structured work environment."