There’s nothing Arts Central loves more than bringing art to Central Oregon. Arts Central, a multifaceted nonprofit regional arts organization has been sharing the Art Love for almost 40 by years putting our heart into the community by assuring the arts are accessible to all in a variety of ways:
First, we brighten the hearts of school children with creativity through our Artists in Schools program. Virtually every school in the Bend LaPine District is a Title I school, meaning students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
That economic reality, combined with increasing budget cuts, means there is little or no public funding for arts education in the classroom. Our Artists in Schools program ensures quality, professional arts instruction is part of students’ learning experience from K-12. Nearly 50 percent of the funds to support Artists in Schools comes from business sponsorships and private donations allowing over 3,000 young people to access the learning benefits the
arts provide.
Brimming with art supplies and ideas, Arts Central’s outreach vehicle, VanGo, brings high quality arts programming to rural communities for free or at a subsidized rate thanks to the support from people and businesses who care. VanGo partners with social service agencies such as Head Start, Oregon Youth Authority, J Bar J Youth Services and Partners in Care Camp Courage to bring the healing power of the arts to their clients.
VanGo covered some serious miles last year to serve as a highlight in the days of more than 1,000 people, many of whom could use a lift.
As Central Oregon’s largest nonprofit visual arts school, Art Station is a creative hive of classes and camps for all ages and abilities. From painting to fused glass, animation to sculpting, our professional teaching artists masterfully conducted 285 classes and workshops last year, which inspired and engaged almost 1,000 students.
We share the joy of creativity through our donor-supported scholarship fund, which last year granted $6,000 so youth throughout Central Oregon could attend Art Station classes and explore their artistic potential.
If you want to see the community thrive through the benefits of the arts, you can help during the month of February as Arts Central spreads the love with our Hearts for the Arts campaign.
Hearts for the Arts is an opportunity for you to make an impact by supporting Arts Central’s enriching programs. We’re asking you and your fellow arts lovers to unite and help us raise $15,000 to deliver inspired learning to kids in school, to fuel our scholarship fund, to take the arts to every corner of our community.
Hearts for the Arts starts with you and expands into a creative culture that benefits all who live here.
Visit our website homepage at www.artscentraloregon.org to learn more. We thank you for sharing the Art Love and for showing your Hearts for the Arts.
Cate O’Hagan if executive director of Arts Central
