After two years of providing quality arts programming, we have been able to collect some great success stories from many schools and parents on the impact that artSpace is having on students everyday. After our first year, letters started to come in about how much the artSpace program had changed their school or provided students with opportunities that they may never have received without the artSpace program. As we all know, budgets are always tight, but providing students with quality arts programming provides kids with a creative outlet and the chance to explore and grow as individuals. The following excerpts are from letters of support written by District Coordinators, Site Coordinators, and artSpace parents telling their stories about how artSpace has changed their lives and the lives of their children.
"We live in Laveen and drive 2 hours each way to bring our kids to PACS. We left once for convenience and have been contemplating the move again to a school closer to our home. The potluck changed our decision again. When we saw our kids in the [artSpace] video we realized that PACS is like home to them, they are free to be themselves."
- Phoenix Advantage Charter School parent
Having artSpace at Echo Mountain was a terrific opportunity and I'm sincerely hoping this partnership can continue. Our kids don't have many of the opportunities other kids find commonplace and this allows them the chance to grow and learn in ways they would otherwise miss out on. Our kids loved it, and deserve it.
- Lori Madrid Site Coordinator Echo Mountain Elementary
We felt very fortunate that they [artSpace] elected to collaborate with us in after school programs. I was struggling to offer high quality opportunities for our students, artSpace went above and beyond what we had expected. Their unique approach in the multifaceted arts culture has exposed our youth to experiences that has positively changed their view of the arts.
-Molly Kemp District Coordinator Paradise Valley Schools
In December of last year I was called upon to help with the after-school enrichment program at Palomino Elementary School. I was apprehensive at first, but within days I was fully immersed in my role and in love with the fact that I was part of enriching these students with artistic medias that were foreign to them. With budget cuts and emphasis primarily on reading, writing, and math, their little minds, are missing exposure to the completely creative way of learning...with their hands, ears, hearts, and imaginations. artSpace gives this generation a learning environment beyond the basics and gives our generation credit in passing the torch...
I personally have witnessed several life changing moments for these shildren. One very shy little girl started with artSpace at the same time I came on board. She was so shy that she didn't attend many classes the first few weeks. Exposing her to pastels, oils, and watercolors opened a whole new world for her. With the praise and encouragement of the instructors she believed she had talent and she went from that reclusive child to a confident, eager, and proud artist who was the first one in line to go to that class everyday....
Yes, it would be nice to put a value on this program by measurable test scores or improved grades. I can tell you that the days the kids knew they were going to an artSpace program, was a day they were not missing school. Bottom line is attendance improves and when that happens learning improves.
- Amy Randolph artSpace Volunteer
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