VSA arts and MetLife Foundation Announce "Arts Connect All" Recipients

March 2, 2006

Funding initiative encourages partnerships between arts organizations and public schools

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 2, 2006 -- VSA arts and MetLife Foundation today announced the recipients of the “Arts Connect All” funding program. Eleven arts organizations will receive grants of up to $15,000 for programs that create or enhance inclusive, accessible education programming with public schools.

VSA arts and MetLife Foundation have worked together for eight years to increase access to the arts for people with disabilities. The “Arts Connect All” initiative, in its second year, was created to recognize best practices and encourage arts organizations throughout the country to partner with public schools to develop integrated educational programs for development of students’ social, cognitive, and artistic skills through arts learning.

A distinguished panel of arts education professionals reviewed and evaluated the submissions. The 2006 winners are:

Allegro Foundation (Charlotte, N.C.) for “Dance/Movement Education,” a weekly workshop in which elementary school students develop dance skills and create original choreography.
CENTERSTAGE (Baltimore, Md.) for “Encounter,” a residency program for high school students that uses theater as a medium for learning, community building, and creative self-expression.
Deaf West Theatre (North Hollywood, Calif.) for “in-School Workshops” and “ASL Story Time,” programs that promote theatrical experiences that are culturally relevant, linguistically appropriate, and fully accessible for deaf and hearing children.
Foundation for Pierce College (Los Angeles, Calif.) for “Media Access Project,” a mentoring program that allows high school students to create original documentary and dramatic programming under the direction of college theatre and film faculty.
Powerful Puppetry (Portland, Ore.) for “Friends to the End,” in-school puppet performances that teach respect for and understanding of what it is like to live with a disability as a result of traumatic injury.
Luna Kids Dance (Berkeley, Calif.) for “Tilden Elementary Integrated Creative Dance,” a program that builds respect for diversity in the classroom, supports cultural literacy, and enhances learning through dance.
Pacific Northwest Ballet (Seattle, Wash.) for “Dance to Learn,” a residency program with Rose Hill Elementary School in which students create and choreograph an original work after exploring dance composition and translating ideas for movement into drawing, writing, and music.
The Providence Black Repertory Company (Providence, R.I.) for “Common Ground,” a program where students from diverse backgrounds explore common experiences by creating original pieces that fuse theater, drumming, and dance.
Seattle Children’s Theatre (Seattle, Wash.) for “Deaf Youth Drama Program,” a combination of in-class workshops, residencies, and public performances that develop the fundamentals of theatre and build literacy and interpersonal skills.
Tampa Museum of Art (Tampa, Fla.) for “Partners in Art,” an outreach program for six Hillsborough County schools that uses the creative processes of painting and photography to raise awareness and appreciation of community diversity.
That Uppity Theatre Company (St. Louis, Mo.) for “Playwright Discovery Program,” a residency program that challenges high school students to take a closer look at the world around them, examine how disability affects their lives and the lives of others, and express their views through the art of writing a play.

“VSA arts is proud to continue this successful partnership with MetLife Foundation in supporting inclusive arts programs in communities.” said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. “The excellent programs selected this year offer students with and without disabilities a wide range of creative and innovative experiences.”

“MetLife Foundation is committed to making arts more accessible for everyone,” stated Sibyl Jacobson, president & CEO of MetLife Foundation. “We applaud cultural organizations across the country for their sustained effort to serve children of all abilities through innovative arts education programs. And this year’s winning programs demonstrate once again the positive impact the arts can have in children’s lives,” continued Jacobson.

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About MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to carry on its long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Grants are made to support health, educational, civic and cultural organizations and programs throughout the country. Recognizing the vital role the arts play in building communities and educating young people, MetLife Foundation contributes to the arts and culture by focusing on increasing opportunities for young people, reaching broader audiences through inclusive programming and making arts more accessible for all people. For more information about the Foundation, please visit its Web site at www.metlife.org.

About VSA arts

VSA arts, an affiliate of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in more than 60 countries around the world. For more information visit www.vsarts.org.

Media Contact

Marcia Rhodes / VSA arts, (202) 628-2800, ext. 3883, marciar@vsarts.org

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