Art is a powerful tool. It allows anyone to express themselves, free from the constrictions of right and wrong. For children, art can have a tremendous impact, often helping them find their voice and communicate their feelings. It helps foster creativity, imagination and critical thinking, tools that are fundamental to success in today’s world. And unlike other activities, such as music or athletics, art requires few resources, allowing anyone to participate, no matter what their background or income-level may be.
Yet despite this clear understanding of the power and benefits of art, Art Education seems to have been pushed aside in many school curriculums. Currently, only 11% of public schools in California are actually meeting the state’s goals for arts instruction. Constant budget cuts have forced many schools to reduce or eliminate art education entirely, leaving many children with little to no access to a proper arts program.
Our latest partner, Good Tidings Foundation, is working to change this trend and bring the arts back into these children’s lives. They provide free arts education to over 600 underserved 4th-8th graders each month whose schools no longer support it. Good Tidings works directly with the local schools to cover all the costs, including transportation, art supplies and high-level instruction. Their field trips integrate the student’s school curriculum with visual art projects, allowing the students to think about topics such as history and science, from a different perspective. This level of immersive arts education results in a higher-level of comprehensive learning, while providing an effective outlet for their creativity.
Check out Good Tidings Foundation’s Impact Page to learn more and please show your support by sharing their work with your friends!
The 2013 Stadium Stampede
Good Tidings is also looking for more participants in their 2013 Stadium Stampede. This annual fundraising event, held on Saturday, April 27th, is your only chance to experience a full ballpark climb at the famous AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants! Participants of all ages can join 3x Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings and walk, jog or run two laps of the stadium’s lower-level stairs, flat concourse or the full ballpark. All the money raised from this event goes to directly support the great work of Good Tidings Foundation as they continue to help Bay Area’s underserved youth.
To learn more about this awesome event and how to register, check out the link below: