Announcements
Partnership with Ontario Government to help Students and Artists
PARTNERSHIP WITH ONTARIO GOVERNMENT
TO HELP STUDENTS AND ARTISTS
Kick-Off For Arts Education Program Starts Today
Toronto, ON — Ruth Preston, Chair of the Board of Prologue to the Performing Arts, today announced that Prologue will participate in the Arts Education Partnership Initiative, an Ontario Government program that matches money raised by arts and community organizations.
“This program recognizes the important role of arts education in Ontario,” said Ruth Preston. “Organizations like ours can help keep students in school, while building their self confidence, problem solving skills and creativity.”
“The Ontario government is investing in arts education to ensure the success of our students,” said Minister of Culture Di Cocco. “Arts education is a necessity and raises academic achievement in all areas.”
“An arts education makes a big difference in helping children excel intellectually, physically and emotionally,” said Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne. “By studying the arts -- such as dance, drama, music, and media and visual arts -- students learn to work more effectively with others and think more creatively and critically.”
The Arts Education Partnership Initiative matches money raised by 119 arts and community organizations from private donors to support new or enhanced arts education projects. The initiative is administered by the Ontario Arts Foundation. Successful applicants were selected by a review team managed by the Ontario Arts Council.
Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the program in May 2006. The program has a total of $4 million in funding support from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture.
The Arts Education Partnership Initiative is one of several government programs supporting arts education. Others include the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Learning Through the Arts, and a variety of arts education programs administered by the Ontario Arts Council.
Contact: Susan Habkirk, Executive Director
416-591-9092, ext 223
susan@prologue.org
www.prologue.org