Creative & Performing Arts
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS
The inequities of arts education in lower-income communities leads to poor children falling behind their peers in feelings of self-esteem, low test scores, illiteracy, and the inability to think critically and logically. PFF focuses grants in the arts for low-income children to support consistent engagement in the arts through the early years, leading to developing necessary life skills children need.
Arts education, engagement, and participation are essential to the advancement of the human experience. Connecting to and maintaining involvement in cultural activities at an early age—whether it is hand’s-on art-making, writing, theater, music, or dance—is fundamental. But it is mostly out of reach to children living in poor and disadvantaged communities, especially where there has been disinvestment in arts funding in schools. The inequities of arts education between higher-income communities and poorer ones, even in the same cities, leads to poor children falling behind their peers. They often experience low self-esteem, low test scores, illiteracy, and the inability to think critically and logically. Research has shown that a robust connection to and consistent engagement in the arts through the early years leads to developing the necessary skills children need to thrive as adults.

Our vision imagines a thriving arts community at the heart of our region. We believe that art, culture, and creativity are fundamental human rights. Therefore, through our programming and initiatives, we are committed to being equitable and responding to community needs while supporting individual artists, arts organizations, and supporting young voices within our region.
STRATEGY
GOAL
To support organizations whose priorities are serving children and youth in the most disadvantaged communities and prioritize programs and projects for young people who have little or no access to arts programs.
TARGET CONSTITUENCY
501 c3 nonprofit organizations providing arts programming serving:
- Children and youth (PreK-12) from low-income families, living in low-income communities (at least 70% of children eligible for free or reduced-rate lunch for schools).
- Children and youth with limited or no access to arts education programs, especially in schools where arts and music programs have been eliminated or cut back.
CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS SPOTLIGHT
