Josh Groban on Why Art Matters

Josh Groban.  Photo by Olaf Heine

Josh Groban.
Photo by Olaf Heine

“Art matters because it is the one true great connector in a world that seems to be very unconnected, and it’s important now more than ever to shine a huge light on that connectivity that we have, that we often forget.” -Josh Groban  Read more…

Josh Groban Sheds ‘Light’ On Arts Education

Posted by Tim Mikulski On July – 8 – 2011

Singer-songwriter Josh Groban was a strong supporter of the arts and arts education long before gaining the attention of the music industry in 1998. His initial foray into charitable causes has always included arts education, in addition to a number of other causes.

 

However, Groban also recognizes that access to quality arts education has been declining and he wants to do as much as he can to help students be exposed to, and trained in, music, theater, dance, and visual arts.

Yesterday he announced that he is refocusing his charitable efforts on arts education under a new name, the Find Your Light Foundation.

Seeking to make a difference in schools across America and around the world, the foundation will focus on providing instruments and funding for arts programs in schools.

Groban is also leveraging his new concert tour to bring attention to the foundation and the arts education cause.

In every city during the tour, Groban is inviting the head of an arts education nonprofit; the artists, students, and/or teachers who provide services for the nonprofit; and the children and young adults who receive services from the nonprofit to attend his concert and be recognized from the stage.

They will also have the opportunity to meet Groban prior to the performance. In addition, the Find Your Light Foundation will make a cash donation to the chosen nonprofit.

Taking things one step further, Americans for the Arts and the Find Your Light Foundation are launching a new text-to-give campaign throughout Groban’s Straight to You tour with proceeds going in support of both organizations. Ten dollar donations can be easily made by texting ART to 50555. The $10 will simply be added to your monthly phone bill.

A member of our Artists Committee and recent testifier on behalf of arts education before Congress, Josh Groban continues to be a tireless advocate, and together we will continue to pursue the mission of ensuring every child and young adult in America has access to quality arts education experiences.

At STEAM Schools, Arts Are Woven Into The Curriculum

The idea behind STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts and math – is to find ways to integrate the “A” into all class subjects, believing the fusion of arts and science gives students an edge to create and innovate.  Like STEM, it’s more a philosophy than a specific curriculum, emphasizing connections across subject areas and teaching kids to take what they’ve learned in one classroom and apply it in another.

“The arts should share equal status with STEM subjects,” says art teacher Kathy Pugh. “It has to be presented to the kids that it’s not an extra, that it is as important of a subject as your math,” she said.

How did arts integration impact your education?

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StateImpact Ohio’s Amy Hansen takes us to Canton to introduce a STEAM school, a relatively new – and unproven – model that encourages students to innovate with an artistic touch.  Read more…

 

National Arts Advocacy Day

National Arts Advocacy Day is on Tuesday, April 9. Americans for the Arts Action Fund is in the final stages of preparing to welcome more than 500 arts advocates to Capitol Hill. Now here’s where we need your help.

Even though you cannot attend in person, you can help your state arts advocacy delegation members who are coming to DC. We need you to write to your Members of Congress by this Friday, April 5th at noon. We are going to tally all of these letters so that your state arts advocacy captain can walk in each Congressional office and say, “Today is Arts Advocacy Day and I want to add my voice to the number of other constituents who have already e-mailed you about the importance of the arts and arts education in our state.”

Take two minutes to send a pre-written, customizable Arts Advocacy Day letter to your members of Congress.