The Howard County Arts Council Receives $1,600 grant from Target

The Howard County Arts Council is pleased to continue its partnership with Target®. In recognition of its efforts to foster the arts and arts education, the Arts Council received a $1,600 grant from Target to support its FY09-10 Artists-in-Education program.

The Artists-in-Education program is a partnership between the Arts Council and local PTAs to place visiting artists in K-12 schools, both public and private, for periods of one day up to severAl Weeks. During the residency, students are challenged to explore their own creativity under the guidance and inspiration of a visiting artist. The residency is meant to complement what is being taught in the classroom whether it is in art class or social studies class or science class. Visiting artists work with the PTA representatives and classroom teachers to design programs that encourage both participatory experiences in the arts and cross-curricular connections between the arts and other academic disciplines to ensure that local and state goals for arts education are met. Over 3,000 students - including many in special populations-are directly involved in the programs each year, about 5,500 others indirectly participate in the public exhibit or performance that each residency produces.

The Artists-in-Education program is a competitive grant program supported through a combination of private and public funding sources. If selected for funding, the PTA is responsible for matching the award by at least 1:1. In FY09-10, the Arts Council was able to waive the matching requirements for Title I schools (up to $2,000) to encourage them to participate in the program and ensure that those students who might benefit most from the arts receive this opportunity.

Coleen West, Executive Director of the Howard County Arts Council said "Ensuring that children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities have access to enriching experiences in the arts is an important goal for the Arts Council. With the downturn in the economy, the Arts Council, like others, face reductions in programs and funding. The grant from Target couldn't come at a better time - it will help ensure that Howard County students from all walks of life will continue to benefit from the Artist-in-Education program."

 

This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target® to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target® has given 5 percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism. Today that translates to more than $3 million every week.

"At Target, our local grants are making a difference in the communities we serve," said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. "We're proud to partner with the Howard County Arts Council as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work."

Additionally, Target gives through signature programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families. Programs include:

• Take Charge of Education®, a school fundraising program;

• Target Field Trip Grants, a program that helps educators bring learning to life for students through the distribution of grants;

• Ready. Sit. Read!, a program dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of reading in children at an early age;

• Target House®, which serves as a home away from home for families of children receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® in

Memphis ;

• Target Volunteers, a program where Target team members and retirees annually donate more than 350,000 hours of time to more than 7,500 community-based projects.

About The Howard County Arts Council

The Howard County Arts Council was established as a private, non-profit organization to serve the citizens of Howard County by fostering the arts, artists, and arts organizations. For 27 years, the organization has been devoted to advancing local community arts, furthering the public's appreciation of the arts, and ensuring that the arts are accessible to Howard County residents. To fulfill its mission and goals, the Arts Council sponsors a wide range of programs that not only foster the arts, but encourage community-wide participation and support for the arts. The Arts Council provides direct grants to local and regional arts organizations and school groups; advocates and promotes the arts; and manages the Howard County Center for the Arts, a 27,000 square-foot multi-purpose facility in Ellicott City , MD. The Center, which opened in 1983, is a community resource where citizens of all ages and abilities can participate in the arts.

About Target

Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at more than 1,600 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today's best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target® store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

 

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