Contact:
Catherine Brandt, Press and Media Relations Manager
Americans for the Arts
[email protected]
202-371-2830, extension 2054

Marilyn Krieger, Director of Public Relations
Winebow
[email protected]
646-884-8026

This fall, consumers can support arts education programs in America's K-12 public schools as they enjoy one of America's fastest growing Italian wines, KRIS. KRIS is teaming with Americans for the Arts, the nation's leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts, as part of its second annual "Art of Education" program. KRIS will award 16 schools in the United States a total of $25,000 to improve academic achievement through quality arts education. The KRIS program, which runs from October through November 30, 2011, comes at an important time when students and teachers face record budget cuts that threaten arts education programs across the country.

"Over the last several years we've seen a significant decrease for arts funding in our nation's public schools," said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. "This is an alarming trend given the well documented and far-reaching benefits a quality education in the arts provides. Students who engage in arts programs are more literate, exhibit better school attendance and achieve higher grades in all subjects. School leaders and business leaders alike, when surveyed, say that arts in the schools leads to creativity and creativity is what is needed in America's 21st century workers. We are grateful to have a partner such as KRIS Wine that understands the important role art plays in our lives and the welfare of our communities."

Consumers can now visit KRIS Wine's Facebook page to vote for their favorite K-12 public school to win funding for arts education programs. Participants must be 21 years or older and can vote up to one time per day for multiple schools throughout the duration of the program. When the program concludes on November 30, the school with the winning number of votes will be awarded $5,000. The next five schools receiving the top number of votes will receive $2,000. Schools that rank sixth through 16th in total number of votes will receive $1,000.

Seven-time Gambero Rosso "Tre Bicchieri" award winner, Franz Haas, is passionate about the arts. Haas not only considers winemaking an art in itself, but also brings art to the exterior of his wines with labels designed by Italian artist and long-time family friend, Riccardo Schweizer (1925-2004). Schweizer, who studied under Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro, showcases his modern, expressive style in the unique and timeless KRIS labels.

"We are very excited to support the advancement of arts education programs for young people," said Haas. "As our family has created hand-crafted wines for seven generations, we understand and appreciate the importance of artistic production in determining the ultimate character of our wines."

About Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it has a record of more than 50 years of service. 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. Additional information is available at www.americansforthearts.org .

About KRIS Wine

Handcrafted in Alto Adige using grapes sourced from Italy's most exciting growing regions, KRIS is a product of seventh generation winemaker Franz Haas and his wife, Maria Luisa Manna Haas. In KRIS, Franz and Maria have combined their expertise and passions to develop a series of contemporary expressions of classic varietal wines reflective of the unique personality of Northeast Italy. For more information, please visit www.kriswine.com .