Arts Alliance Receives Grant From Idaho Community Foundation

The Arts Alliance has received a grant of $2,000 from the JA and Kathryn Albertson Education Fund in the Idaho Community Foundation to support youth arts education in the 2009-2010 academic year.

The Arts Alliance will provide affordable art instruction to students in grades K-12, both after school and during school. Artists in Residence reach students in school, while after-school and summer art classes will reach students with a particular interest in developing their artistic talent.

During 2008-09, the Arts Alliance served approximately 500 youth through these programs, due to approximately $35,000 in support from foundations.  Without this support, affordable classes and Artists in Residence will be severely limited.

Artists in Residence through Arts Alliance programs include Terrie Kralik of Moose Country Quilts, teaching quilting at Sagle Elementary School and Northside Elementary School, and Diana Schuppel, teaching mural painting at Sandpoint Charter School.  Classes are also offered to youth on an ongoing basis at the Arts Alliance Studio in downtown Sandpoint.  Types of art include drawing, painting, cartooning, stained glass, cooking, quilting, printmaking, jewelry, sculpture, mosaics, ceramics, paper arts and more.  Summer programs for 2009 begin in July.

“This grant will help make it possible to continue offering these affordable classes to youth in our community” says Executive Director Lizzy Hughes.  “The Idaho Community Foundation has provided the initial leadership we need for these programs, especially during this critical time.  If other community members and foundations can support art education as they do, we will be able to reach more youth.  As it is, we are challenged by limited support, and hope that we do not have to reduce our affordable offerings for youth this coming year.”

For more information about the Arts Alliance programs and events and to become a member, visit the website at www.artsalliance.info or stop by the studio at the corner of 6th and Oak in downtown Sandpoint.