Executive Summary The YMCA of Kansas City, Missouri seeks $50,000 in start-up funding from the National Endowment

for the Arts, Arts Education: Art Works, Learning grant towards the program Hearts for Arts. Hearts for Arts is a new extension of the Kansas City YMCA offering five studio art classes for children ages ten to fourteen. Since 1844, the YMCA has helped foster communities through different physical activities. As a leading non-profit organization committed to helping others, we want to expand our horizons by adding studio art classes to our program. The YMCA has successfully incorporated physical activities into local communities. The time has come to expand our program to reach another segmentthose not interested or skilled in physical activities and who do not have an outlet for their desires. The following pages describe the importance and opportunity for the arts in children, and how it will help the youth in our community by fostering their creativity and talent. This is a pilot program, which will be the root for YMCA art programs all over Kansas City, and eventually, America. Introduction In recent years, the economy has taken a turn for the worse. That downturn has hit education hard, with budget cuts seen on all sides. With so many cuts to be made, it often seems that the creative arts get axed first. The YMCA of Kansas City has been helping kids learn responsibility and integrity through physical activities for over 150 years. We are a leading non-profit with numerous awards 1

for our guidance and impact in communities. Our board of directors is made of volunteers that work with a staff of over 2000 people. As for the specific Kansas City YMCA where the program will take place, we currently have two directors and ten staff members, with numerous other volunteers. This team is enthusiastic about the concept and have committed their time and support. Our track record and experience with kids makes us more than ready to take on the challenge of offering an additional program like Hearts for Arts to kids. Problem Statement By the end of this year, an estimated 25% of public high schools will cut all art programs in their curriculum. Multiple studies show lack of a creative outlet can result in higher dropout rates, disciplinary actions, and struggle in core subjects like math and science. More than one million students drop out of high school every year. One third of all students fail to graduate on time. With the government pushing hard on all sides, the arts will be lost. Losing the arts could mean losing the children. The YMCA offers a wealth of opportunity for those with athletic abilities, but there are hundreds of kids with no skill or desire for athletics. By taking art classes they might not have experienced otherwise, children will have an opportunity to express themselves through art and creation and cast off the idea of I dont fit in because Im not good at anything. In todays world, there also seems to be a lack of positive public figures and role models in childrens lives. For some, a college education seems out of reach. By having college students as assistants, children will see that college is a real possibility and be encouraged to make that dream a reality. 2

Apart from these benefits, this program will be groundbreaking for the YMCA and be the seed for other programs to take root in all of our YMCAs across America. Hearts for Arts Program Goals/Objectives With a start-up grant of $50,000, the Kansas City YMCA will offer a nine month program of five studio art classessketching, painting, pottery, sculpture, and photographyto children, ages ten to fourteen, that are not interested or skilled in physical activities. Recruit facilitator for each class Recruit 10 junior/senior level college art students to assist with teaching in each class, 2 assistants/class. Allow 100 children to participate in one of the five classes of their preferred choice, 20/class. Have an art show recognizing students best pieces in December and May

Methods We want to be proactive about getting the word out because this is a revolutionary program for the YMCA and we want everyone in the community to be aware. We will place posters in local schools, YMCAs, and colleges, and advertise on billboards. The program will take place from September to May. Classes will be capped at 20 students. Students will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis. Because we are seeking grant funding, the classes will be free. The classes will be 2 hours long, once a week, Thursdays, 4-6:30pm.

We will hire one facilitator for each class with a stipend of $300/month. We will also inform local colleges of our program asking for two art students to assist in each class. They will also earn a small stipend of $150/month. In the month before the program begins, we will ready the rooms which the classes will take place and purchase all of the art supplies. During this time we will also be accepting admissions of students and sending brochures out with the intimate details. When the classes begin, we will offer transportation via the YMCA bus for children from schools that do not have a ride to the facility. Parents will pick their child up. At the end of each school semester, we will hold an art show at a well-known venue inviting the Kansas City public to view the students best art pieces. Evaluation At the end of each semester, we will evaluate our program by giving a short survey to each of the children and their parents with questions like, What have you learned so far? How do you feel about this art subject? Has your child shown any change in behavior and academics since the program began? During each art show, we will have small survey cards to gather the communitys opinion on the program. We will also evaluate each childs quarterly school grades to see if there is an improvement or decline. Conclusion The YMCA of Kansas City now asks that the National Endowment for the Arts consider making a start-up gift of $50,000 towards the program, Hearts for Arts. In recognition of such 4

support, the YMCA will announce your role as a key contributor in news publications, as well as honor the foundation with a thank you wall in the YMCA facility painted and signed by the children in the program. Your support for this program will open doors for children all over Kansas City and America. To offer art for younger generations is to create hope during hard economic times.

Budget The foundation grant will cover half of our start-up funding. The other half will be funded through the YMCA.

Categories
Wages: 5 Facilitators 10 Assistants Art Supplies: Pottery/Sculpture 1 Firing Kiln 10 Potter's Wheels 20 Pottery Tool Sets 200lbs Modeling Clay Glazes Drawing Pencil Sets Pen Sets Marker Sets Pastels Sketch Pads Other Painting Paint Sets Paintbrush Sets Canv as Pads Stretched Canv as Other Photography Digital Camera Printing Costs Total

Explanation
$1500/mth x 9 months $1500/mth x 9 months

Total Funds
$13,500 $13,500

$5,500 $1,300 x 8 $25 x 20 $10 x 40 (5lb bags) $5-10 per glaze $15 x 20 Sets $10 x 20 Sets $25 x 20 Sets $40 x 20 Sets $125 x 2 Cartons (24 Pads) Erasers, Varnishes, Large Draw ing Sheets $40 x 20 Sets $30 x 20 Sets $2 x 40 Pads $65 x 10 (9"x12") Palettes, Gesso, Etc. $80 x 20 Cameras $1,000

$5,500 $10,400 $500 $400 $100 $300 $200 $500 $800 $250 $100 $800 $600 $80 $650 $200 $1,600 $1,000 $50,980