ArtsBuild has been recognized for its work championing arts in education for tens of thousands of public school students.
The non-profit organization was presented with this year’s Educator Champion Partners in Education Award at a ceremony hosted by Hamilton County Schools at The Read House.
ArtsBuild provides training for teachers across the county, helping them incorporate visual arts, music, drama, and dance into lessons.
Teachers can access personal development sessions with renowned teaching artists from Carolyn Dorfman Dance, The Kennedy Center, and other partners. The aim is to provide the creative tools and strategies to inspire students, boost academic achievement, and promote a lifelong love of the arts. In the last two years alone, ArtsBuild has trained over 100 teachers.
The non-profit organization also offers free theater, concert, ballet, and museum visits for all students in Hamilton County’s public elementary schools through its Imagine! program.
Last year, around 12,000 students enjoyed trips to the Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, SoLit Theatre Express and other partner organizations thanks to the program. Since its beginning, the program has provided over 100,000 field trips for children over the course of the Imagine! program.
James McKissic, president of ArtsBuild, said, “We are thrilled to win this award in recognition of our efforts to bring the arts to every child in our public schools.
“The arts do not just bring joy to our lives and fire our children’s imaginations. They also help to strengthen classroom engagement, and foster critical thinking, collaboration and innovation among students.
“Research even shows that young people who engage with the arts are more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, win awards for writing, and take part in math and science fairs.
“Our aim is that all children should be able to experience the magic of theater, music, dance, and visual arts, no matter their background. I’d like to thank all our wonderful partners, supporters, and educators for helping us to make this a reality.”
ArtsBuild is dedicated to building stronger communities through the arts and increasing access to the arts throughout Chattanooga and the surrounding area. Since 1969, ArtsBuild has invested more than $77 million in arts organizations, programs and education.
Hamilton County Schools hosts the Partners in Education Awards to honor community partners who have made a significant impact on the district within the last year.
ArtsBuild arts education programs are made possible by the Beacon Foundation Charitable Trust, Hamico Foundation, George R. Johnson Family Foundation, Lillian L. Colby Foundation, Tucker Foundation, the City of Chattanooga, the Schillhahn-Huskey Foundation, Tennessee American Water, First Horizon, EPB, TVA, the Tennessee Arts Commission and many more generous corporate and individual donors.