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Friends of Art Works for Kids Announces Launch of Utah-wide Advocacy Initiative, Web Site
September 22, 2009
Fast Facts- Statewide Grassroots Initiative and Web Site Created to Build Awareness of, Support for the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program
- Organization Founder Beverley Taylor Sorenson, to Embark on Statewide Tour to Spread Awareness and Garner Community Support
- Schools Utilizing the Integrated Arts Teaching Model Demonstrate Improvements in Academic Performance, Involvement and Behavior
SALT LAKE CITY - Friends of Art Works for Kids today announced the official launch of the organization and its Web site, www.artworksforkids.org. This statewide grassroots initiative has been created to ensure that Utah school children receive the benefits of high-quality integrated arts instruction by advocating the Utah Legislature's ongoing support of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program in Utah elementary schools. Due to budget shortfalls, funding for the program will be cut at the end of the 2009-10 school year, unless the Utah Legislature acts to extend the program, based on feedback from parents and other concerned citizens from throughout the state.
The newly launched Web site provides resources for parents and other community members to get involved in the Friends of Art Works for Kids initiative and play an active role in ensuring the continuation of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. Through the site, parents can identify and email their legislators directly, discover upcoming advocacy events in their communities and stay informed on the most recent news and progress of the program. The Web site also provides essential information about the program and compelling examples of how the integrated arts approach is being utilized at a variety of Utah elementary schools.
In conjunction with the launch of the Web site and advocacy group, Art Works for Kids Founder Beverley Taylor Sorenson and the Friends of Art Works for Kids team will travel throughout the state to garner community support for the program and to educate Utahns about the benefits of integrated arts learning. The team will visit more than 20 communities through September, October and November.
"We are delighted with the response we have been getting from many parents and other members of Utah communities in support of this integrated arts teaching model and the program," said Sorenson, an education innovator and philanthropist. "We also appreciate the support and vision our state legislators have already provided for this program, and we hope they will continue their role in this endeavor. In this crucial time for Utah, parents and other concerned citizens throughout the state need to let their legislators know that there is no substitute for quality integrated arts instruction in a child's education."
In 2008, the Utah State Legislature voted to fund the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program, which strategically incorporates arts into the core curriculum. Under the direction of the Utah Arts Council, the program provides quality integrated arts instruction in over 50 elementary schools in 20 districts across Utah. It currently serves approximately 30,000 students.
Schools implementing the program have seen extraordinary improvements in student engagement, behavior and academic performance in every core subject area, including math, science and language arts.
"Not only have we seen dramatic increases in the number of students passing the required academic AYP [Average Yearly Progress], but discipline problems have also declined sharply, since implementing the integrated arts teaching model," said Dale Porter, principal of Dixie Sun Elementary in St. George. "In my experience, there is nothing that creates greater confidence, school spirit and genuine engagement in the learning process like the quality integrated arts instruction in the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program."
"Proficiencies in language arts and math have both clearly and notably increased after integrating the arts into our core curriculum," said Launa Harvey, principal of Monroe Elementary in West Valley City. "The connection to visual and performing arts, effectively integrated into the entire core curriculum through this model, provides a deep personal connection to learning. The resulting improvements in school performance and satisfaction are real and profound."
About Friends of Art Works for Kids
Friends of Art Works for Kids is a grassroots initiative created to ensure that Utah's school children receive the benefits of high-quality, integrated arts instruction through the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program. The program integrates art into the core curriculum, effectively increasing student performance in every subject-from language arts and social studies to math and science.
