STIMULUS LEGISLATION SAVES TWO LOCAL TEACHING ARTIST POSITIONS
TO THE BENEFIT OF LOW-INCOME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

As a result of a competitive grant process, Art Resources in Teaching (A.R.T.), a 115-year old Chicago arts education nonprofit, has been awarded $50,000 in funding from the National Endowment for the Arts under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Direct Grants Program to secure the continued employment of two teaching artists.  These teaching artists deliver programs to low-income elementary school children in Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois July 14, 2009 --- Art Resources in Teaching (A.R.T.) is a Chicago nonprofit that has provided quality arts education opportunities to elementary schoolchildren since 1894. Like most nonprofits affected by the recent economic downturn, A.R.T. has faced an increased demand for services and decreased revenue to support the teaching artists that are the core of our efforts. A.R.T. has learned today that two teaching artist positions will be saved from cuts as a direct result of a competitive $50,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, made possible through recent economic stimulus legislation enacted this spring.

The National Endowment for the Arts awarded $30 million in direct grants this month, in the amounts of $50,000 and $25,000, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to fund arts projects and activities which preserve jobs in the nonprofit arts sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn.

In the Arts Education category for N.E.A. grants, A.R.T. and Urban Gateways of Chicago were the only two Illinois organizations selected, and there were only 28 such Arts Education grants made nationwide from a pool of 136 organizations. In all categories, 24 Illinois arts organizations of all types received grants, from an applicant pool of 103 organizations. According to A.R.T. Executive Director Walter Hansen, “This grant award process was quite competitive, and A.R.T. is greatly heartened by the NEA’s endorsement of our organization’s quality, reputation, and long history of service to Chicago’s schoolchildren.” Mr. Hansen added, “This support is absolutely critical in ensuring our continued ability to provide art education to Chicago area schoolchildren, many of whom receive no art instruction at all during their school day.”

Grants are listed by state at: www.arts.gov/grants/recent/09grants/states2/arra.php?STATE=IL
Grants are listed by type at: www.arts.gov/grants/recent/09grants/arra09.php?DIS=Arts%20Education

ABOUT ART RESOURCES IN TEACHING: A.R.T. is Chicago's oldest and largest educational organization providing visual arts residency programs to Chicago school children. Our Teaching-Artists make art come alive for over 18,000 low-income students each year by establishing connections between academic subjects and the visual arts. Our programs address Chicago Public Schools academic standards and frameworks and Illinois State Goals, and build children's capacity for creative thinking.

IIf you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Walter Hansen, please call Christopher Hawkins-Long at 312-788-3373x17 or by e-mail at chawkins-long@artresourcesinteaching.org