The mandate to foster social intelligence through public education is the historic basis for the federally funded programs resulting from the 1965 Elementary Secondary Education Act. Art as an instrument of social change also was the goal of a 1970 summer program initiated by the Guggenheim Museum for New York's inner city youth. Under the direction of art and reading teacher, Bernadette O'Brien, funding for this program was sought through Title I funds. This required a refocusing of the program toward learning to read through the arts. The design of Learning to Read Through the Arts Program (LTRTA) featured a mechanism to measure the effect of the LTRTA experience on children through standarized tests. Results of the tests provided evidence of the Program's success in raising reading achievement. Generous time allotment given to staff development also was a design feature that contributed to program success. The methodologies of the program were adaptable to museum and non-museum association, which allowed for other educational organizations to develop successful programs based on the LTRTA model. This document incorporates biographic information about Bernadette O'Brien. An addendum includes: (1) a 1965 newspaper reprint concerning the signing of the aid-to-education bill by President Lyndon B. Johnson; (2) a chart showing pre- and post-test results of LTRTA pupil progress; and (3) a 1982 article by Bernadette C. O'Brien that describes her methodologies. Contains 19 references. (MM)