We’ve been challenged!
Jump-Start has received a $25,000 challenge grant from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation for The Healing Arts Project, a collaboration of eight arts and human service organizations providing diverse arts programming to abused, abandoned, neglected and chronically ill children in San Antonio. We are excited about this opportunity to continue and expand the work we’ve been able to do with these children, and your support will help us maximize the impact of this project. With Kronkosky’s help, and with the help of our partner organizations, we’ll be raising a total of $75,000 to support The Healing Arts Project by June 1, 2012. Please, donate today! Your help lets us help.
Jump-Start Performance Co. is a member of the Community Arts Access Program. Click here to find out more!
Download Smart Art by Jump-Start!
Best Lesson Plans from the Jump-Start Education Program
Smart Art by Jump-Start
Vision and Background
“The work Jump-Start does is brave and absolutely necessary and done with such heartfelt urgency… I feel very blessed to live with Jump-Start literally in my backyard.”
- Sandra Cisneros, author of Caramelo and The House on Mango Street
Vision
Art is a powerful tool for empowering individuals to discover constructive ways to make their voices heard, to impact their community and to take control of their future. Through the arts, individuals can hone higher-level thinking skills, explore group processes, problem-solve for the future, develop creative potential and self-esteem, learn multidisciplinary processes (using various arts disciplines), and enhance cognitive development. In its educational work, Jump-Start plays a pioneering role in creating programs that focus on long-term collaboration and integrating the arts with social issues and academic achievement.
“Experience has shown me that bringing the arts into our schools softens the heart, feeds the soul, and nourishes the brain. Art heals. My words of gratitude for Jump-Start cannot measure up to the million thank-yous in my heart. I believe that we have all benefitted from this awesome experience and, in a small way, made our world a better place.”
- Michele Brinkley, Teacher, Tejeda Academy
Background
“You have taught me so much – like how to be creative, not to give up, and to do things I have never done before or thought I could do.”
-Jocelyn, student, Stewart Elementary School
In San Antonio, 32.3% of children live in poverty (the highest rate in the nation) and half of inner-city students do not graduate from high school. Illiteracy, low self-esteem and a lack of motivation persist as chronic problems. Numerous studies have shown that students involved in integrated arts programming are more interested in staying in school, achieve higher test scores, and find creative, productive outlets to express their opinions and display their talents. Youth involved in Jump-Start’s educational programs reside primarily in the inner city and are approximately 80% Latino, 15% African American, and 5% White. These programs are often the only opportunities these youth have to experience and participate in the arts.
Visit the Healing Arts Project website here.
