Teach Literacy through the Arts in DC, MD, and VA

This year, 11 schools applied for funding for an artist-in-residency with Story Tapestries through the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) with the assistance of Young Audiences of Maryland.  We are thrilled at the level of interest and excitement about Story Tapestries' programs, and we're grateful that MSAC provides this opportunity to help schools afford such an opportunity.  However, many schools still cannot afford the remaining cost of bringing in a residency, even with the assistance of MSAC funds.  Story Tapestries is pleased to be able to offer $5,000 in assistance to schools that otherwise could not bring in an artist-in-residence program.  Each artist-in-residency offers an incredible in-depth learning experience for students and teachers, with each program kicking off with a school-wide performance and culminating with a student presentation of their accomplishments.  Residencies are a fantastic way to expose students and teachers to the benefits of using the arts to connect with academic materials and to connect with every type of learner in a classroom.  Students learn to collaborate as a group as well as gain confidence as individuals to share and express their ideas, while learning important problem solving and critical thinking skills and grasping new academic concepts.  It's an exciting process and the culminating presentations are always a thrill to see and are a fun way for students to take ownership of their new knowledge, and to share it with their peers and families.

THANK YOU for your assistance that makes it possible for us to support such programming!  Your donations have helped us reach hundreds of children, parents, and teachers in our fight against illiteracy and we are looking forward to sustaining the relationships we've created as well as building future programs in other communities and schools.  We are grateful for the opportunity to work closely with school teachers through programs like residencies that allow us to pass on skills and tools that teachers can continue using in their classrooms for years to come.  This creates self-sustainability, which is one of our main focuses.

We are excited for the opportunities Global Giving creates as well - such as Bonus Day coming up on Wednesday, June 13.  As a Partner on Global Giving, every donation we receive that day will be matched at 30%.  We love to think of all the residencies and arts-based literacy programs we will be able to support with the extra 30% that Global Giving will offer on the Bonus Day!

Thank you again for your continued support and we look forward to sharing more news as we get ready for exciting summer programs in Maryland and DC public libraries!