USA Funds Grant Supports Art Education

USA Funds^® is helping the Indianapolis Museum of Art introduce children to the world of art.

USA Funds recently awarded a $25,000 grant to support education initiatives of the museum.
 
The IMA’s Collaborative Arts Partnership offers students ages 5-17 a unique opportunity to learn about a variety of art forms, artists and cultures, and gain a better understanding of how art communicates with and without words.

The IMA collaborates with Indianapolis Public Schools, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, and a number of local cultural organizations to bring weekly after-school classes in the arts to IPS. Local professional artists visit the schools to lead visual- and performing-arts classes throughout the school year. CAP serves approximately 200 students a year, and programming is free to students in select IPS schools.

CAP addresses the need to provide quality arts experiences to all children and offers students an opportunity to explore their talents and develop new skills in the visual and performing arts. CAP aims to build self-esteem, encourage positive attitudes about school, develop creative problem-solving skills, and promote positive group interaction.

In addition to developing an appreciation for art, CAP programming allows students to explore the relationship between subjects such as math and music, science and art, and language and theatre.

The IMA initiated CAP in 1999 in response to requests from local schools.

“We are thrilled that USA Funds is supporting the Collaborative Arts Partnership this year,” says Carol White, IMA manager of studio and community art programs. “The sponsorship will provide resources that reach several IPS schools, numerous students and their families. Without this support, we could not make the arts part of their daily lives.”

The USA Funds grant will also sponsor the second-annual IMA Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Jan. 15. On that day IMA will offer free admission to all galleries and will feature art-making activities, musical performances, films and tours. In 2006, more than 5,000 guests attended the celebration.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art is among the largest and oldest general art museums in the United States.

“The arts can play an important role in a student’s education,” says Henry Fernandez, USA Funds executive director of scholarships, outreach and philanthropy. “Studying art can instill students with skills such as reasoning, problem solving and creative thinking. USA Funds is pleased to partner with the Indianapolis Museum of Art to bring the world of arts to Indianapolis-area students.”