February 26, 2017
To ensure Philadelphia children have access to arts programs, a non-profit organization provided supplemental funding to the budgets of 15 public schools in the city this week.
On Wednesday, the Public Citizens for Children and Youth selected 15 projects from cash-strapped K-12 schools in Philly to receive a total of $66,674 in Picasso Project grants. The initiative awards funds annually between $500 and $5,000 to public schools in the region.
"Arts education is not a luxury, it is a necessity." - @PhillyMayor Jim Kenney @PCCYarts @PhiladelphiaGov @philaculture @Americans4Arts pic.twitter.com/lyTP3f7lvU
— Pamela Yau (@Pamela_Yau) February 23, 2017
Representatives of the schools were invited to an award ceremony at City Hall with Mayor Jim Kenney.
Started in 2002, the Picasso Project funds music, dance and visual art programs in schools facing budget shortfalls while advocating for increased support toward arts education. The award committee is comprised of school teachers, administrators and artists.
The grants are reserved for public schools with no more than 2 full-time arts teachers.
Here are the schools that received funds:
• John Bartram High School, $5,000
• Stephen Decatur Elementary School, $5,000
• Albert M. Greenfield Elementary, $4,466
• Eugenio Maria De Hostos Charter School, $4,881
• Henry H. Houston Elementary School, $4,450
• Andrew Jackson School, $5,000
• Eliza Butler Kirkbride School, $5,000
• James Lowell Elementary, $5,000
• Isaac. A. Sheppard School, $2,239
• South Philadelphia High School, $5,000
• John B. Stetson Charter School, $4,872
• Tacony Academy Charter High School, $5,000
• John H. Taggart Elementary School, $4,950
•The U School, $2,977
To date, the PCCY has awarded $612,792 to 149 projects at 87 schools through the Picasso Project.
