The Art Works Grants will Support Arts in Education Initiatives across the United States
New York, NY - National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa announced that four Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) affiliates have received NEA Art Works grants: Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, Young Audiences of Houston, Young Audiences/Arts for Learning Maryland, and Young Audiences of Northeast Texas. These awards will be used to fund a diverse range of programs such as professional development seminars for teachers and teaching artists, specialized arts programs for low income students in rural areas, and a STEAM residency program.
“I am extremely proud of our network’s achievements and look forward to seeing these programs flourish. There is no doubt that students in needy communities will benefit greatly from these awards,” stated David A. Dik, Young Audiences Arts for Learning’s National Executive Director.
The YA affiliate in Chicago, Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education (CAPE), will use their $90,000 grant to support the Arts Education Program Design Seminar, an inquiry‐based, arts integrated teaching program and learning partnership for Chicago Public Schools and arts organizations. The program will provide teachers and teaching artists with professional development opportunities as well as opportunities for students to experiment with new arts integration strategies in the classroom.
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning Maryland (YAMD) was awarded $25,000 to support the Rural Access for All program. Professional artists will provide theater, dance, music, and other arts experiences to youth and families in low‐income communities in rural Maryland.
Young Audiences of Houston will use their $15,000 award to support Full STEAM Ahead, a professional development and residency program for middle and high school students that combines theater, music, dance, or media arts with science, technology, engineering, and math. Houston Arts Partners, a collaboration amongst Houston‐area school districts and local arts organizations, will partner with Young Women's College Preparatory Academy and Young Men's College Preparatory Academy to implement the program. Periodic teacher training during a multi‐week residency for students will result in arts instruction in theater, music, dance, or media arts as well as original student films and animations that will then be screened and shared with communities and parents.
Young Audiences of Northeast Texas was awarded an Art Works grant of $10,000 to support professional development in arts integration for the faculty of Caldwell Elementary Arts Academy in Tyler, Texas. The entire faculty will receive professional development workshops led by Kennedy Center teaching artists. As teachers practice their skills, develop lesson plans, and research arts integration topics, they will benefit from ongoing classroom observation and communication with teaching artists.
Art Works grants support the creation of art that meets the highest standards of excellence, public engagement with diverse and excellent art, lifelong learning in the arts, and enhancement of the livability of communities through the arts. This Spring, the NEA received 1,515 eligible applications under the Art Works category. Of these applications, 886 were recommended for grants for a total of $25.8 million.
For a complete listing of projects recommended for Art Works grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.
About NEA
The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.
About Young Audiences Arts for Learning
Founded in 1952, Young Audiences Arts for Learning is the nation’s leading source of arts in education services. YA’s mission is to inspire young people and to expand their learning through the arts. Its network of 30 affiliates with 4,400 teaching artists and 84,000 programs reaches almost 5 million children in 9,000 schools and community centers across the country. Its services include arts-integrated workshops and residencies, and professional learning opportunities for educators and artists.
Press Contact: Marcus Romero, Communications Manager
Young Audiences Arts for Learning
T: 212-860-1563 X108, E: marcus@ya.org
