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| PRESS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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| Contact: Andrea Wedren,
Executive Director T: 216.272.1084 E: awedren@the-human-fund.org THE HUMAN FUND ANNOUNCES FUNDING DISTRIBUTION TO 19 CLEVELAND ARTS ORGRANIZATIONS February 16, 2006 Cleveland, OH - The Human Fund, a foundation that supports arts education for youth in the city of Cleveland, has announced the nineteen organizations that will receive funding this year. The $200,000 that is being distributed comes from both donations and proceeds from their annual fundraiser, the pARTy. “The Human Fund exceeded its fundraising goals in our first year. The support of this community of our mission is incredible and we will continue to strive for larger grants in subsequent years” states Cleveland-born industrialist Andrew K. Rayburn, Founder and Chairman of the Human Fund. “We are making a positive impact on Cleveland’s schools and the city.” The Human Fund will give $150,000 of its inaugural grant money to the Cleveland Municipal School District’s All–City Arts Program. It encompasses 12 student musical, dance and visual-art ensembles; private musical lessons; an annual arts festival; and student exhibitions and performances, including an annual musical theatre production. This program touches children in grades K- 12 in over 100 schools. Barbara Byrd-Bennett, CEO for the schools, states "the arts are so vital for a well-rounded education and as a creative and positive outlet for our children. But due to budgetary challenges, our All-City Arts Festival, including the All-City Musical, could be compared to a swimmer attempting to stay afloat in turbulent waters. Our festival was in danger of going under until the Human Fund threw us a much-needed lifeline. Thanks to the efforts and contribution of the Human Fund, many of our students this year will again have an opportunity to showcase their artistic talents in public performances throughout our city, including the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame and at Playhouse Square. I applaud the Human Fund as much for its heart as for the lifeline." The following organizations have also received varying grant amounts:
All contributions to the Human Fund will go to the support of several arts education programs for underprivileged Cleveland youth. The Human Fund originated less than a year ago because Rayburn and his friends feel strongly that art education is vital to the children of this city. Studies have suggested that art education makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of every child and has proven to help level the "learning field" across socio-economic boundaries. (Involvement in the Arts and Success in Secondary School, James S. Catterall, The UCLA Imagination Project, Graduate School of Education & Information Studies, UCLA, Americans for the Arts Monograph, January 1998) In addition, art education strengthens student problem-solving and critical thinking skills, adding to overall academic achievement and school success. (Business Circle for Arts Education in Oklahoma, Arts at the Core of Learning 1999 Initiative.) Rayburn states, “It is truly inspiring to see what art can do for these kids. We, as adults, owe this to them, in order to prepare them to become productive adults.” The foundation will hold its annual fund–raising event, "The pARTy”, on October 21st, as well as an upcoming wine and art auction on May 4th. For more information on tickets to these events or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Andrea Wedren, Executive Director at 440.893.7529 x228. |
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