Working Artists Forum is proud to support this great program!
The Avalon Foundation Keeps Visual & Performing Arts Education Alive for Talbot County Children
The Avalon Foundation is known for its highly visible programs like the Avalon Theatre and Stoltz Listening Room, the weekly Farmers Market, and Plein Air Easton. Yet the often-untold story of the Avalon Foundation is about its significant work to improving access to arts education–in our local classrooms, in our Theatre, and on the streets of Easton.
Among pockets of affluence, many of the approximately 4,500 students who currently attend Talbot County Public Schools live with very limited resources. In fact, at our community school, Easton Elementary, 7 out of 10 kids in every classroom may not be getting enough to eat. 67% of the school’s students are minorities and nearly 20% of the students require some level of ESL (English as a second language) services. With the deck stacked heavily against so many kids, access to the arts is limited even though the impact of arts experiences can be life changing. Scores of studies have shown that children who participate in arts education have higher math and reading scores, better critical thinking skills, are more confident, are more collaborative and empathetic toward others, and are less likely to drop out of school.
For more info visit avalonfoundation.org
Supporting Art In Schools
Every year, Working Artists Forum presents Dick Blick gift cards to regional schools in an effort to support visual arts education to elementary-age students. With this donation, art teachers are able to purchase needed art supplies for their classrooms. The importance of this effort–and arts education in the schools–is shared by all members of Working Artists Forum.
Caroline County
Denton Elementary
Federalsburg Elementary
Greensboro Elementary
Preston Elementary
Ridgely Elementary
Dorchester County
Choptank Elementary
Hurlock Elementary
Maple Elementary
Sandy Hill Elementary
Kent County
Galena Elementary
HH Garnett Elementary
Rock Hall Elementary
Talbot County
Chapel District
Easton Elementary
St. Michaels Elementary
Tilghman Elementary
White Marsh
Queen Anne’s County
Bayside Elementary
Centreville Elementary
Church Hill Elementary
Grasonville Elementary
Kennard Elementary
Kent Island Elementary
Matapeake Elementary
Sudlersville Elementary
Worcester County
Buckingham Elementary
Ocean City Elementary
Pocomoke Elementary
Showell Elementary
Snow Hill Elementary