ABOUT US
Gary Barat and Chandri Barat
The Barat Foundation is a 501(c) 3 not for profit founded in 1997 as an educational corporation dedicated to expanding creative opportunities through immersion programs designed to help maximize artistic and intellectual achievement alongside personal growth.
HISTORY
Founded by the entrepreneurial couple Chandri and Gary Barat, the Barat Foundation has become a pillar of the arts community in Newark, NJ. The Barats left the publicly traded natural foods business they built from scratch upon learning that Gary was facing a life-threatening illness. Embarking on a program of creative recovery, they returned to their creative roots as artists and educators. Beginning as a French language culture and art immersion program for teens in the South of France, they unveiled “Exposure, Experience, Expression” ™, a learning methodology rooted in the principles of creative learning. The Barats brought this experience to Newark in 2006 to provide innovative, artistic learning opportunities for underserved youth.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Largest collaborative public artwork in the history of Newark: The Peace Mural painted by over 500 children in 14 schools to welcome the Dalai Lama to Newark
- Annual Creation Nation Art & Peace Parade now in its 12th year
- A large growing international family of Animodule Sculptures named “Newark’s Official Peace Ambassadors” by US Senator Cory Booker.
Gary Barat and Chandri Barat
The Barat Foundation is a 501(c) 3 not for profit founded in 1997 as an educational corporation dedicated to expanding creative opportunities through immersion programs designed to help maximize artistic and intellectual achievement alongside personal growth.
HISTORY
Founded by the entrepreneurial couple Chandri and Gary Barat, the Barat Foundation has become a pillar of the arts community in Newark, NJ. The Barats left the publicly traded natural foods business they built from scratch upon learning that Gary was facing a life-threatening illness. Embarking on a program of creative recovery, they returned to their creative roots as artists and educators. Beginning as a French language culture and art immersion program for teens in the South of France, they unveiled “Exposure, Experience, Expression” ™, a learning methodology rooted in the principles of creative learning. The Barats brought this experience to Newark in 2006 to provide innovative, artistic learning opportunities for underserved youth.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Largest collaborative public artwork in the history of Newark: The Peace Mural painted by over 500 children in 14 schools to welcome the Dalai Lama to Newark
- Annual Creation Nation Art & Peace Parade now in its 12th year
- A large international family of Animodule Sculptures named “Newark’s Official Peace Ambassadors” by US Senator Cory Booker
OUR MISSION
Engaging youth and communities in the process of collaborative artistic creation, fostering peacemaking through the arts and promoting the civic ideals of inclusion, diversity, pride of place and the beautification of public space.
OUR COMMITMENT
“Public Art by the Public” promotes peacemaking through the arts, diversity, inclusion and creative placemaking highlighting a community’s unique history and culture and promoting healing.
OUR MISSION
Engaging youth and communities in the process of collaborative artistic creation, fostering peacemaking through the arts and promoting the civic ideals of inclusion, diversity, pride of place and the beautification of public space.
OUR COMMITMENT
“Public Art by the Public” promotes peacemaking through the arts, diversity, inclusion and creative placemaking highlighting a community’s unique history and culture and promoting healing.
THE BARAT METHOD OF CREATIVE LEARNING
The Barat Method Of Creative Learning is taught within the context of a three-fold learning system:
1. Exposure
“Exposed” to new material in classes featuring artistic explorations of varied artistic and scientific disciplines including art making, digital technology, creative writing and cultural and career exploration.
2. Experience
“Experiences” these materials hands on at the site and/or virtually through the Animodule Curriculum designed to align with STEAM discipline standards.
3. Expression
“Expression” of the new material, by articulating the learning in their own voice, sharing their story, and using the arts to strengthen academic and emotional growth.
THE BARAT METHOD OF CREATIVE LEARNING
The Barat Method Of Creative Learning is taught within the context of a three-fold learning system:
1. Exposure
“Exposed” to new material in classes featuring artistic explorations of varied artistic and scientific disciplines including art making, digital technology, creative writing and cultural and career exploration.
2. Experience
“Experiences” these materials hands on at the site and/or virtually through the Animodule Curriculum designed to align with STEAM discipline standards.
3. Expression
“Expression” of the new material, by articulating the learning in their own voice, sharing their story, and using the arts to strengthen academic and emotional growth.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chandri Barat
Founder / Executive Director
Melissa Smith
Secretary of the Board
Kwamara Thompson
Board Chair
Judith Sheft
Associate Vice President of Technology Development, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Holly Stern, Esq.
Attorney
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chandri Barat
Founder and Executive Director
Melissa Smith
Secretary of the Board
Kwamara Thompson
Board Chair
Joshua Chananie
Partner in Accounting Firm, SAX LLC
Judith Sheft
Associate Vice President of Technology Development, NJIT
Holly Stern, Esq.
Attorney
Justice Cerami
Director of Technology
Lindsey Minor
Special Student Ambassador of the Board
Natalia Ziarno
Graphic Designer
OUR SPONSORS
A special thank you to our event sponsors and all you do!
Prudential Financial
New Jersey State Council on the Arts
OUR SUPPORTERS
Thank you to our volunteers and supporters! We appreciate your help.
United Community Corporation
Jewish Womens Foundation of New Jersey
Princeton Area
Community Foundation
New Jersey Office
Of Faith Based Initiatives
S.T.E.A.M. Urban
Good News Network
