Contact:
Liz Bartolomeo
202.371.2830
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Baltimore, MD — June 24, 2010 — Americans for the Arts presents the 2010 Arts Education Award to KID smART, a New Orleans-based arts education organization. The award will be presented on June 25 at the Americans for the Arts Half-Century Summit in Baltimore. Given annually by Americans for the Arts since 2007, the award honors the best in arts education program design and execution and organizational leadership. The Arts Education Award is presented by the Arts Education Council of Americans for the Arts.

KID smART is being honored for more than 10 years of successful arts education programming in New Orleans, including residencies with New Orleans students in Houston following Hurricane Katrina. The organization has served more than 16,000 underserved students at 110 sites since 1999. Four years ago, the group developed and implemented the Arts Experiences in Schools (AXIS) program, an arts integration professional development program for teachers that includes workshops and hands-on experiences. Last year KID smART served 2,869 children and works currently in 12 schools in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes and at six community-based sites.

Interweaving its long-term artist in residence program with professional development, KID smART layers support for students, teachers, and schools. Through AXIS, KID smART works with eight city cultural partners to bring arts resources to schools. KID smART also plans arts education activities in schools and teaches the arts in after-school and summer camp programs with community partners. Additionally, KID smART led the creation of Louisiana’s Imagination, Creativity, and Innovation model arts integration school program. KID smART Executive Director Echo Olander will be accepting the award.

“The staff and teaching artists of KID smART know first-hand the ability of the arts to transform schools. Through its innovative and effective programming, KID smART has made an incredible impact on thousands of school children in New Orleans,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Visit us online at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.

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