Our Programs > Arts Resource Grants Program
Teachers speak of the power of art to engage and motivate English language learners:
“Particularly in a rural school district such as ours, where families frequently haven’t the money or the resources to offer their children extracurricular activities, our public school classrooms are their only hope of exposure to art education. Giving children from all socio-economic backgrounds a voice is particularly important at Hatch, where the arts provide common ground and a creative space in which our students can express their hopes, dreams and concerns.” – 3rd grade teacher, Johanna Gelb, Alvin S. Hatch Elementary School, Half Moon Bay
Arts Resource Grants For Public School Teachers K-8, select Southern San Mateo/Northern Santa Clara County Districts
What: Grants of up to $500 are available to public school teachers grades K-8 to enhance your classroom and after-school arts programs. Examples: art supplies, visiting artist, scripts, instruments, scores, sound equipment, stipends for after-school arts teaching, costumes, props, professional development. The purpose of this program is to enhance arts education in music, theatre, dance, & visual arts.
Who: Public school teachers, K-8, in the peninsula school districts listed below are eligible to apply (Alum Rock, Belmont, Cabrillo, East Palo Alto, Franklin/McKinley, Menlo Park, Mountain View/Whisman, Pescadero, Redwood City, San Carlos).
How: We've made it easy! Simply fax in a description of your idea on school letterhead, including the following information:
- Date & notation on top that request is for an Arts Resource Grant
- School and District Name, Address, Telephone and Fax Numbers
- Your Name, Grade Level
- Total Amount Requested
- Description of Your Project; How many students will benefit
- Item by Item listing of How the Money Will be Spent (we encourage same grade level teachers to apply together to maximize this resource grant)
- Applications must be signed by both the submitting teacher and the school principal
As of November 20, 2009, Arts Resource Grants Program funding has been exhausted for the 2009-2010 school year.
This program is made possible with funding by The Westly Foundation
"Hispanic children playing Chinese traditional instruments - a crazy dream come true," says Sherlyn Chew, of her instrumental music students at the International Community School in Oakland, CA.
Educator, music teacher and performer of Chinese music Sherlyn Chew began teaching Chinese music to her inner-city students at Lincoln Elementary School in 1995. These first classes grew into weekly music instruction for all 550 students at the school, located in the heart of Oakland’s Chinatown. First and second graders begin by singing Chinese music, while third, fourth and fifth graders are introduced to Chinese instruments. Chinese musicians — virtuosi in their fields — teach the students, who perform as the Purple Bamboo Chinese Chorus and Orchestra.
This program is unique in American public schools and has had a wide-reaching impact on all Lincoln students. Learning to play Chinese instruments gives them an awareness and appreciation of another country’s art and culture. For students who are recent immigrants or first-generation Chinese Americans, it provides a critical link to their cultural traditions.
The study of music helps students to strengthen their math, reading and listening skills. They develop self-discipline and self-esteem as they learn to work with others in the chorus and orchestra. Lincoln Elementary School students are consistently top scorers in the Oakland school district. Sherlyn's work has been expanded to the International Community School in Oakland's Hispanic Fruitvale district.
PVF is proud to have supported Sherlyn Chew’s outstanding music program since its beginning.
“I named the music group Purple Bamboo because bamboo is purple when young and tender. The shoots are very thin and need to grow close together to support each other to survive. Each node of the bamboo stands for character; the hollowness stands for forgiveness. Bamboo is a very important plant in Asia, used for housing, furniture and musical instruments, even for food. It is my wish that children will develop like the bamboo, supporting each other as they grow to be strong, that they be forgiving and have character, and most of all that they strive to give useful service to the community in which they live.” – Sherlyn Chew