Howard County Arts Council Receives Grant to Support Head StART in ART

The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) has been awarded a $5,000 grant for its Head StART in ART program from the Isadore & Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Inc. This grant will help the Arts Council continue its ongoing partnership with Howard County Head Start during the upcoming 2016-2017 school year by providing teaching artists who will conduct residencies in visual and performing arts at the Ellicott City Head Start Center.

HCAC established the Head StART in ART program in FY2000 in partnership with the Ellicott City Head Start Center to provide hands-on experiences in the arts for pre-K students from low-income families. This program provides students with opportunities to explore the arts and their own creativity under the guidance and inspiration of a visiting artist. Head StART in ART has been cited as a model early childhood arts education program by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Maryland State Arts Council.

Coleen West, Howard County Arts Council Executive Director, says: "We are extremely proud of the Head StART in ART program. Education is one of the most important tools that we have to beat poverty, and quality early education is the key to success. An essential component of a quality education is the arts, which is often eliminated due to budget constraints. Head StART in ART provides children from low-income families with an early introduction to the arts and creative play - which builds social and cognitive skills, encourages exploration, builds self confidence, and instills a love of discovery and learning that will last a lifetime! We are thrilled the Isadore & Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation is supporting our efforts to help transform the lives of at-risk children through the arts."

The Head Start Program is a federally funded program that has been helping low-income families and preschool children across the country since 1965. Head Start offers pre-school programs for 3- to 5-year-old children from low-income families, providing them with a stimulating and educational experience in a group setting. This worthwhile program gives children a "head start" towards a successful future.

For more information on Head StART in ART and other Arts Council programs, visit hocoarts.org or call 410-313-2787.

The Howard County Arts Council is a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve the citizens of Howard County by fostering the arts, artists and arts organizations. The Howard County Arts Council receives major grants from the Howard County Government and the Maryland State Arts Council and sustaining annual support from corporate, foundation and individual sponsors. Howard County Arts Council offices are located at the Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road , Ellicott City , MD 21043.

The Howard County Center for the Arts is an accessible facility encouraging the full participation of individuals with disabilities. For information, call 410.313.ARTS (2787), fax 410.313.2790, or email info@hocoarts.org. TDD: 711

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