The Heritage Community Foundation presented a $4,000 grant Oct. 27 to Arts Clayton executive director Linda Crissey and director of administration/education Elizabeth Gower. The grant will be used to help fund the ArtVan Mobile Literacy Initiative.
ArtVan is a mobile literacy initiative which uses hands-on art activities in curriculum-based programs to grow reading skills for success in school and in life. All 16 of ArtVan’s certified teaching artists/instructors use the same books and materials in developing programs to meet state standards at 30 after-school locations, including public and private pre-K and elementary schools. Materials range from quantities of art papers and paints to glue, adhesives, copper tape and batteries for S.T.E.M. projects.
Since the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year, the number of Clayton County schools served has increased, and Arts Clayton was faced with a critical need to purchase more books and materials for the after-school programs throughout the county – equating to 25,800 individual student projects over the next 8 months. The Heritage Community Foundation grant will help purchase these much-needed books and materials.
Arts Clayton, Inc. is a non-profit community arts organization dedicated to enriching lives through the Arts. Through the support of its partners, members, artists and patrons, it brings the community together with children’s art programs, a full-time public art gallery in historic downtown Jonesboro, and educational opportunities. The organization has been serving Clayton County and the south metro area for 29 years. Started in 1986, Arts Clayton has worked with community leaders to address opportunities and challenges as the population has significantly increased and demographics have changed. Since its inception, Arts Clayton has focused on three areas of service which remain the goals of the mission today: support arts education for students in schools at all levels, provide venues and exhibit opportunities for Georgia artists, and promote the arts in community development as a means of strengthening the economic vitality of the community and improving the quality of life for families who live, work, and study here.
For more information on how to apply for a grant with Heritage Community Foundation, make a donation or volunteer, visit www.heritagecommunityfoundation.org or contact chairsperson Jenny Smith at 770-478-8881.
Pictured above are Elizabeth Gower, Stacy Hammons, Sheri Dockweiler, Linda Crissey, Jenny Smith, Rochelle Hehir and Luann Daniels.
