The COVID-19 pandemic has tested Elgin-based Young Rembrandts and its art programming for children, founder/CEO Bette Fetter admitted.
The arts enrichment programs they provide typically had anywhere between 30,000 and 40,000 students a week at their 90 or so U.S. and Canada franchises before the pandemic occurred, Fetter said. When schools closed in March, that number dropped by half, she said.
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“It’s a tough time, but parents want to give their kids these extra-curricular opportunities,” said Fetter, who founded Young Rembrandts in 1988. “They want to give their kids those art classes and we are still feeling very optimistic.”
Until they can return to in-person programs, the company has has embraced live and on-demand lessons in which children can participate, she said.
On-demand lessons have proven particularly popular because they can be accessed whenever it’s convenient, Fetter said.
Programming is designed for children ages 4 to 12, and includes drawing lessons and workshops as well as themed classes.
Franchisees received training over the summer to help them beef up virtual instruction by focusing on how to set up classrooms for virtual audiences, the best ways to communicate remotely, and methods to keep connections secure and safe, Fetter said.
There are some franchisees who are attempting in-person lessons with social distancing/public health measures in place, she said. This could be in partnership with schools, park districts, summer camps or other groups.
In general, however, in-person lessons remain difficult, in part because some families are hesitant to starting sending their kids back to after-school programming, especially if their regular school is doing remote learning. Some Young Rembrandts teachers also fear in-person classes could pose health risks, she said.
“The schools are in the most difficult position anywhere,” she said. “They want the kids back in the classrooms, but they want to keep them safe. They want to keep the teachers safe, they want the support staff safe. It’s a tough time for everyone involved.”
Fetter said she plans to publish an e-book on how to improve distance learning. Young Rembrandts sought input from families earlier in the year to see what worked and what didn’t when their programming shifted online, she said.
Young Rembrandts won’t have enrollment figures until September or later but Fetter said she it’s unlikely they’ll return to pre-pandemic levels this fall.
“Until we make that full shift (back to in-person), there will be some financial stress,” she said.
Nonetheless, she said she believes franchises will be able to keep going with virtual programs through the winter and beyond, if necessary, Fetter said. And there is potential for reaching new audiences, such as the emergence of “parent pods,” small groups of parents and children who do remote learning together.
“That could be someplace for us to market to,” she said.