Waco Arts Initiative

Vital Stats

Grace L

Waco, TX

people helped500
People Doing It100

The Problem

Due to lack of funding for the arts in low-income districts, many children living in impoverished areas do not receive art education in public schools. Art is vital for children’s ability to think creatively, and those who are deprived of art often lack the means to develop the problem solving skills needed to succeed in life. Cities that experience a deficiency in the arts cause disadvantaged children to continually be victimized by the cycle of poverty.

Plan of Action

Acting locally is essential for thinking on a global scale. Waco Arts Initiative is a local arts education program with a unique structure and curriculum model that has the potential of being replicated all over the world. Our program provides enrichment classes for children living in low-income housing projects. As students engage with the arts and become more absorbed in the cultural and civic activity around them, our program fosters the advancement of individual skills in which children find confidence and giftedness. Our hope is that the participants in our program will be able to use their creativity in such a way that when faced with difficult decisions they will be enriched to make constructive choices and influence others in a positive way. We hope to do this by continuing to teach fine art and acquaint our kids with artists that have gone before them. This will happen by: 1. Utilizing facilities within low-income areas that are both inspiring and easily accessible. 2. Connecting local university and community college students with our program as volunteers 3. Gaining more city support in order to continue funding efforts and support other local neighborhood initiatives. 4. Empowering children and families through the arts towards a brighter future 5. Going National & global with Waco Arts Initiative's model