by Sheryl Young, PVF’s San Mateo County Program Director

Curious, lively, smart, and respectful kids proudly display their art work on every wall and shelf at Kings Mountain Elementary School’s end-of-the-year Open House. These K-5^th graders have created Picasso and O’Keefe interpretations and models of science elements.

The students’ prolific work is not an accident but rather the result of the opportunities from multi-year art grants, enthusiastic teachers, a passionate principal, and dedicated parents who assist with the purchasing of supplies and provide volunteer extra hands-on time in the classroom. This all came together under a comprehensive curriculum called Art in Action which integrates science, math and art history lessons and prepares children for a future where they will be creative participants and future entrepreneurs.

PVF provided $500 Arts Resource Grants to three teachers at Kings Mountain Elementary to implement this curriculum in their classrooms this year. Principal Diane Siegel said it best: “Each of our kids sees things through a different lens, and art provides an opportunity for us to see what they see. The creativity and expression of complex ideas and thoughts is truly amazing.”

PVF teacher grants were started by PVF sixteen years ago, and over $500,000 is donated each year to hundreds of classrooms throughout the Bay Area.  Click here for more information.