Students involved in the Shakespeare

x 3 project will create and perform in the production and be guided by

adult artists from within the Atlanta community.

"Although we have each

worked with the students in the arts magnet program at Tri-Cities at one

time or another, this is the first time that all of our organizations

have collaborated on a single project," says Lane Wilson, Director

of the Atlanta Chapter of American Composers Forum.

"Needless to say, we all

are thrilled to have this opportunity. The support and success of previous

programs coordinated with the Fulton County School System prove that this

grant can be funded with full confidence of rousing success."

In issuing its grants criteria,

the Blank Foundation challenged local groups to partner and create programs

that result in creative collaboration. The Shakespeare x 3 grant was one

of two arts grants involving Fulton County schools and staff.

The second grant provides $50,000

for a choral music summer camp for girls aged 10-14. That proposal, created

Forum, was generated with support from Fulton County Music Coordinator

Jay Wucher who chairs the Spivey Hall Education Committee. Wucher was

one of the grant defenders and also will help select eligible students

for the camp.

The Arthur M. Blank Family

Foundation supports programs and organizations that create opportunity,

enhance self-esteem and increase awareness about cultural and community

issues among young people.

It awards funding primarily

in five geographic areas: Georgia; Maricopa County, Arizona; coastal South

Carolina (the counties of Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester,

Georgetown, Hampton and Jasper); New York City (the boroughs of Bronx,

Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island); and Park and Gallatin

counties in Montana.

Arthur M. Blank founded The

Arthur M. Blank Foundation in 1995 to share his civic values and the joy

of giving with his family. Since that time, Foundation and personal grants

paid total more than $86 million. Mr. Blank co-founded The Home Depot,

the world's largest home improvement retailer, in 1978 and retired from

the company as co-chairman in 2001. He is chairman, president and chief

executive officer of the Atlanta Falcons.