Katy Lifestyles and Homes magazine Mar 2010: KISD to Benefit From ARTreach Programs

ARTreach announced the list of Katy ISD schools that applied and have been selected to benefit from a variety of ARTreach projects this semester. Benefitting campuses include Schmalz Elementary, Raines High School, West Memorial Junior High, Morton Ranch Junior High, McRoberts Elementary and Rhoads Elementary. Other schools have applied for support and additional projects will be reviewed in March.

Schmalz Elementary was awarded its project based on its statement of need and high interest in having an interactive mural created to support visual learning in science. ARTreach calls projects like this “SMART,” because they combine science and/or math teaching objectives with visual arts learning opportunities. This is a $20,475 interactive mural project benefiting the Schmalz school community of more than 1,048 students annually.

Many of the Katy ISD schools applied for and will be receiving similar mural projects that integrate fine arts with other core educational objectives including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) or projects that focus on Character Education and Development. ARTreach is offering additional and unique Artist in Residence support to West Memorial Junior High in recognition of their counselor ’s newest support program for girls called The ROSE (The Rising of Self-Esteem).

More than $78,000 in project support has already been pledged or distributed this year within Katy ISD and a list of social service agencies in Katy, Richmond and Houston including, Houston Aids Foundation patient center, Pregnancy Help Center of Katy, Coalition of Behavioral Health Services & Partnership for a Drug-Free Spring Branch, Houston Harris County Juvenile Detention Center, Houston Domestic Abuse Center and a number of CPS placement centers and youth shelters.

ARTreach Donations to Help

Fund Mural Projects

The organization has received $30,000 in individual gifts to advance the mission of ARTreach in serving at risk children and adults with special needs in the Katy, Houston and greater Fort Bend County area in 2010. ARTreach is accepting applications now for new projects in Katy ISD underserved schools. New and Title I schools can apply for library mural projects or Mentoring through Art programs funded by ARTreach.

Mural Projects are unique and designed by ARTreach muralist Vickie McMillan to the specifications of the applying campuses. Facilities and campuses serving children in need may also apply for Mentoring

through Art Workshops and ARTreach SMART Programs that combine science and math curriculum with art-based learning practices. These programs promote social skills development and support education and graduation.

ARTreach to Open Arts Center

Artist Shows in Cinco Ranch

ARTreach will open Art in the Park and free family ARTreach Center activities in Cinco Ranch this upcoming year. The events will be modeled after similar weekend events ARTreach hosted in downtown Katy at the Katy Heritage Park this past year. The move to Cinco Ranch is made possible by the donation of space made by The Villagio Gallery and Community Room located at the Villagio in Cinco Ranch.

The ARTreach Center in Cinco Ranch will continue to promote Katy artists and share information about cultural arts hot spots and happenings in the Katy area. ARTreach Center activities in Cinco Ranch each month will include free art classes and creative family workshops that will introduce a number of interesting teaching artists to the community. Music and cultural arts presentations that promote arts education will be included.

For more information and details about these projects, how the community is involved, and the many other activities of ARTreach, contact Terri Bieber at 281-392-5341 or visit www.artreachonline.org.