Arts Resource Grants at Henry Ford School

by Cayman Bentley, PVF’s Program and Communications Associate

Funded by the Westly Foundation, PVF’s Arts Resource Grant Program provides grants of up to $500 to teachers in select low-income Peninsula school districts to be used for arts-related learning.

Arts education is important for our students because it allows them to express themselves creatively as well as eliminate any cultural or linguistic barriers. As a flexible program, these grants allow K-8 public school teachers the ability to inject creativity into their classrooms, from basic art supplies to field trips and musical instruments to theater performances.

Below is an excerpt we have received from Ms. Angie Teupel at Henry Ford School in Redwood City:

“Dear Westly Foundation,

Thank you for supporting our Art Resource Grant that
brought clay projects to our school. We were so excited to receive funding and Gail O’Connor (an amazing parent volunteer) purchased 14 bags of clay and glazes immediately. She then trained other parents so that they could work with all the Kindergarten, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms. his was an incredible opportunity for all involved. Each grade level had a different project appropriate for their age and interest. Students were taught explicitly how to work with clay and then they were free to create their designs. Later they glazed their projects which were displayed at Open House. The students were proud of their work and they learned so much about a new art medium. Thank you for providing this incredible opportunity for them.”