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The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) has received $310,000 in new grants to support Arts Partners, a collaboration among artists, arts organizations, school districts, governments, businesses, and donors working to integrate arts education experiences into the standard curriculum across the region’s school districts. With the help of several new community partners, K–8 students throughout the region will begin having more equitable access to arts education in the spring. RACC is the managing partner of this effort and is pleased to announce this new round of funding, which includes $50,000 each year for the 2008–2009, 2009–2010, and 2010–2011 school years from the Collins Foundation; the same amount from the James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation; and $10,000 from the Bank of America Foundation for the 2008–2009 school year.

“These grants come at a critical moment as we are gearing up to deliver services to 10,000 children and their teachers in 20 schools throughout the region starting in February,” said Executive Director of RACC Eloise Damrosch “Their support will help us turn the tide of declining arts education in our community. We know that the arts are part of a well-rounded education,” Damrosch continued, “and studies have proven that our children do better in other subjects when they participate in arts education. But our students aren’t getting enough. Some students aren’t getting any. Arts Partners will correct this situation by integrating music, dance, art, and theater as part of reading, writing, social studies, math, and science lessons into classrooms throughout the region in a way that will benefit every student—and their overall academic performance will improve as a result.”

The Regional Arts & Culture Council works to integrate arts and culture in all aspects of community life throughout the Portland metropolitan region, including Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties.

The Collins Foundation, an independent private foundation, was created by Truman W. Collins and other members of the family of E. S. Collins. It exists to give greater expression to humanitarian endeavors in the state of Oregon and to assist in improving the quality of life for Oregonians.

The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation was established in 2002 to enhance the quality of life of Oregonians through support of the arts and education.

The Bank of America Foundation is committed to creating meaningful change in the communities we serve through our philanthropic efforts, associate volunteerism, community development activities and investing, support of arts and culture programming and environmental initiatives.