This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Arts Council Receives Grant from PNC Foundation in Support of Head StART in ART

The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) has been awarded a $12,000 grant by PNC Foundation for its Head StART in ART program. This grant will allow the Arts Council to continue the Head StART in ART program at the Tubman Head Start Center in Columbia for the 2013-2014 school year.

 

HCAC established the Head StART in ART program in FY2000 in partnership with the Ellicott City Head Start Center to provide hands-on experiences in the arts for pre-K students from low-income families. This program provides students with opportunities to explore the arts and their own creativity under the guidance and inspiration of a visiting artist. Head StART in ART places teaching artists in the classrooms for periods of 3 to 6 weeks.  The program has been cited as a model early childhood arts education program by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Maryland State Arts Council.

Find out what's happening in Ellicott Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Coleen West, Howard County Arts Council Executive Director says, “We are extremely proud of the Head StART in ART program.  Education is one of the most important tools that we have to beat poverty, and quality early education is the key to success.   An essential component of a quality education is the arts.  Head StART in ART provides at-risk children with an early introduction to the arts and creative play, which builds social and cognitive skills, encourages exploration, builds self confidence, and instills a love of discovery and learning that will last a lifetime!” 

The Head Start Program is a federally funded program that has been helping low-income families and preschool children across the country since 1965. Head Start offers pre-school programs for 3, 4, and 5 year-old children from low-income families, providing them with a stimulating and educational experience in a group setting. This worthwhile program gives the children a “head start” toward a successful future.

Find out what's happening in Ellicott Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

For more information, contact the Arts Council at 410-313-2787 or visit the website at www.hocoarts.org.




We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?