Artists for the Arts

A World Without Art?
Parents and educators understand that providing an arts education runs deeper than just learning to draw or sing; yet every day, our children have fewer opportunities to experience the arts.

Increasingly, schools are losing the funding—and therefore the teachers, resources and materials—needed to provide students with quality arts education.

Just imagine - an entire generation of kids growing up without knowing Mozart, Monet or Martha Graham! ..

Art saves lives.
A Stanford University study found that students with a strong grounding in the arts dramatically outperformed non-arts connected peers. Arts students are four times likelier to win academic awards and participate in math and science fairs. They have fewer disciplinary infractions, and they achieve higher math and verbal SAT scores.

Moreover, researchers at UCLA proved that students who participated in theatre are 40% less likely to tolerate racist behavior than those not involved in theatre. And a Harvard study showed that kids who studied Shakespeare demonstrated improved complexity of thought, self-discipline and self-esteem.

The benefits are more than academic, however. Oregonian columnist Robert Landauer writes, “The arts often hold the attention of students who are ‘on the fringe’ and engage those who struggle in academic subjects, while continually challenging those students already achieving at high levels.”

When we risk our children’s arts education, we risk the capacity for our future generations to imagine, to question, to innovate and to express.

It’s no wonder Ben Cameron, Executive Director of the Theater Communications Group, calls support for the arts “a form of social activism.”

The need is clear.
According to a recent Oregonian article, Oregon ranks near the bottom of all the states in per-capita arts funding. Public arts funding from the state is down to just 17 cents per person—that’s less than a fifth the amount other states allocate to the arts.

On average, arts education funding is cut by about 12% each year. Some schools have had to cut their arts programs altogether. And if kids don’t sing, dance, or paint—who will?

That’s where Artists for the Arts comes in.
AFTA is an organization dedicated to returning rhythm, color and vision back to kids’ lives. Many of our members, supporters and Board of Directors are working artists–writers, dancers, musicians, sculptors—as well as parents, educators, businesspeople and thoughtful citizens who believe passionately that Portland Metro-area kids deserve a well-rounded education.

AFTA restores arts to the classroom by raising money for arts education and channeling that money Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas county schools. We do it three ways: Through direct donations, donations through our SHARE Program and AFTA membership proceeds.

Local educators apply to receive grants from AFTA through the annual AFTA Grant Program. These grants are then used to hire art teachers, buy supplies, sponsor an artist in residence or fill other proposed project or program needs.

Be a part of the solution.
If you believe that arts education is critical to our children’s development as future thinkers and leaders, you have the opportunity to become involved now.

Become a contributing Member of Artists for the Arts. Ask your employer about company or matching donations. Host a fun SHARE event or invite SHARE to be a part of your daily business. The opportunities are limitless – so don’t delay. The future of our kids and our communities depend upon all of us to sing out and make our voices heard.