End of the year Donations

Science department faces budget cuts...
Due to budget restraints, Math classes are being slashed by over 50%...
Football, water polo, and tennis to be cut from 2010/2011 school budget...

Just imagine if these were the headlines you were reading instead! What would you do?

The fact remains that most of us think of art as recreation, or hobbies, but we don’t think of it as necessity. I always believed that the those in the educational departments felt that way as well. With art being the first to go when budget cuts come down. So I was surprised when I came across a letter from the U.S. Secretary of Education to the School and Education Community leaders at the beginning of the school year:

"At this time when you are making critical and far-reaching budget and program decisions for the upcoming school year, I write to bring to your attention the importance of the arts as a core academic subject and part of a complete education for all students. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) defines the arts as a core subject, and the arts play a significant role in children's development and learning process... “The arts can help students become tenacious, team-oriented problem solvers who are confident and able to think creatively," he stated. "These qualities can be especially important in improving learning among students from economically disadvantaged circumstances. "

I was shocked to learn that based on studies produced by the national Arts Education Partnership, the President's Committee on the Arts and theHumanities, the GE Fund, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation:

82.6% of 8th graders earned mostly As and Bs who were involved heavily in fine arts

30.07% of the respondents who participate in fine arts performs community service where only 6.28% of the respondents who do not participate in fine arts perform community service.

Students who are not heavily involved in fine arts have more than double the chance of dropping out of school by the 10th grade.

Sadly these cuts have come to pass, and are still to come, so how do get our children access to art? What can we do to give our children every opportunity to grow and experience a well rounded education that utilizes all subjects including art. Arts Council of Tulare County, they offer community events and art programs that raise awareness of the importance of arts, organize art based venues, offer support to local artists, and bring art into our classrooms.

The Art in Education program sends local artists into the schools; educating students in art through demonstrations, performances, and hands on art creation. A program that reaches an average 14 school districts, 26 schools, impacting 4670 students a year.

First Friday Art Tour and Art in the Alley are brand new venues to the valley reaching hundreds of people each night during their seasons. While still maintaining the Tulare County Fair, and the Art Hang in the Visalia Convention Center.

You can help in many ways, you may choose to sponsor an event, or simply pledge $20 and support art education. Either way the Arts Council is appreciative of your support of any size.

To give a year-end donation, contact the Executive Director David Castro, at 559-625-1520 or David@acoftc.org. If you are not in my area, then consider locating your local Arts Council and lending your support!

Thank you!