Pre-K 4 SA’s Gracias San Antonio: Children Are Citizens spans most of each school year, teaching children about the joy and importance of civic engagement through art and exploration.
One of the key tenets of Gracias San Antonio is that children are not just future citizens—they’re current citizens, capable of voicing their opinions and contributing to our city’s civic and cultural life.
Throughout the four-part Gracias San Antonio program, children:
- Learn about local charitable organizations and vote for one to support
- Explore San Antonio landmarks and connect to the world around them
- Collaborate with local artists to create art pieces inspired by their exploration
- Share their artwork in a public gallery and online auction which benefits their chosen nonprofit
Civic Engagement Lessons Lead to Gracias Election
Each year, Pre-K 4 SA staff submit three to four local nonprofits for consideration on the Gracias ballot.
Once the charities have agreed to participate, children, families and staff learn about each organization in the month leading up to the Gracias election. On election day, which coincides with actual local and national elections, children vote for which organization they’d like to support.
This provides a chance for teachers to engage children in concepts of community involvement, volunteerism, and the role that charitable organizations play in our city. It also helps them understand that each election is a chance to express what type of change they’d like to see happen in their community.
Children Vote to Support The Children’s Shelter
This year, children and families voted to support The Children’s Shelter, an organization committed to prevention and intervention for families and children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Established in 1901, The Children’s Shelter has served San Antonio children and families for over 100 years. In addition to providing emergency shelter in times of crisis, The Children’s Shelter also provides trauma-informed counseling and social work services, as well as recruit, train, and support foster families.
City Explorations Inspire Art Collaboration
During each fall semester, classes go on city explorations to local cultural and natural landmarks, where they’re given the freedom to play and explore what interests them. Children’s families are also invited to attend city explorations, creating opportunities for them to get to know each other and build community together.
Then, children take their experiences back to the classroom, where volunteer artists help them turn their inspiration into unique art pieces they create together as a class.
Through this process of exploration and creation, children reflect on their experiences and work together to interpret them creatively. It’s a fun, engaging process that promotes cognitive development, self-expression, and collaboration.
Art Exhibition and Auction Benefits Chosen Charity
By April, the children’s art pieces are completed and displayed at a public exhibition. The artwork also goes into a two-week online auction, and all proceeds go to the nonprofit that children chose to support at the beginning of the school year.
This part of the program brings the process full circle, giving children the chance to feel the pride of seeing their work on display and helping them connect the dots to see how their combined efforts can make a difference in their community.
This academic year’s Gracias San Antonio: Children Are Citizens exhibit goes on display on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for more information.
