Arts Advocacy Reflected in Cooperative Arts Activities in Austin, Texas

Reston, VA, April 14, 2010 --(PR.com)-- On this the 23rd annual Arts Advocacy Day in which individuals and organizations take part in promoting the importance of the arts, a strong partnership has emerged in Austin that reflects the spirit of fostering community arts programming. Approximately 7,000 Austin area school children are taking part in Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project (http://www.abrakadoodle.com/kip_austin.htm) thanks to a partnership with Art Alliance Austin (www.artallianceaustin.org) in which Abrakadoodle is delivering Free creative art in-school workshops at numerous schools throughout the community. Participants are creating postcard art that finish the sentence, “I Imagine Austin…”

Geraldine Smythe, Director of Abrakadoodle-Austin remarked, “I am thrilled with the response to this expanded children’s art program. Abrakadoodle has provided children’s art activities at the festival for the past five years. This year we chose a greater role. It’s been an immense undertaking, but we are inspiring budding artists and creative thinkers with a tie-in to a wonderful community event with special thanks to the Art Alliance Austin.”

Alicia Hartzell, project partner and Co chair of the kids’ area for Art City Austin commented, “We believe in the importance of art and community, and Abrakadoodle was a natural choice as an ongoing valued partner to collaborate on this expanded project to get children more involved in the arts. This is why our two organizations have come together to extend $50,000 worth of art services to benefit Austin elementary children during a time of widespread budget cuts in the arts.”

Children’s artwork from Abrakadoodle-Austin’s Kids’ Imagination Project will be displayed in the 2nd Street District during Art Week Austin April 21-25. Part of the display will then move to the Kids Activity Area on site at the Art City Austin Festival on April 24-25. After the festival, judges will choose the top five postcards from each grade and the winning postcards will be exhibited as the 2010 “Together We Imagine” winners. This interactive art experience and children’s postcard exchange will keep the arts alive and connect people in a positive way all over the city.

Following is a partial list of schools participating in Abrakadoodle’s free workshop program, in addition to the approximately 1,000 regular Abrakadoodle students across 37 sites in the Metropolitan Austin area:

Leander ISD
Riverplace Elementary
Grandview Hills Elementary

Austin ISD
Cunningham Elementary
Pease Elementary

Charter Schools
Cedars International Academy
Eden Park Academy

Private Schools
St. Theresa's Catholic School
Holy Family Catholic School

Private Pre-Schools
Little Folks Child Development Center
Faith Presbyterian Preschool
Mt. Sinai Baptist Preschool
Trinity Preschool

YMCA of Williamson County

See student art and read more about this inspiring project at Abrakadoodle-Austin’s Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1845532284#!/pages/Abrakadoodle-Austin/110413239776?ref=mf

About Abrakadoodle
Established in 2002 by award-winning educator/franchise developer Mary Rogers, MA.Ed and children’s services franchising expert Rosemarie Hartnett, CFE, Abrakadoodle is the most comprehensive international art education franchise of its kind. You can find Abrakadoodle in schools and community sites, providing integrated art instruction, as well as a wide array of art classes, camps and birthday parties for children ages 20 months to 12 years old. Abrakadoodle’s programs inspire children’s imaginations by immersing them in such art forms as painting, sculpting, mosaics, collage, digital design, paper and fabric art, stamping, sketching, anime, studio art, foil embossing, and more. The magic behind Abrakadoodle is the creative energy between a child and his/her art materials ignited by a well-trained teacher. Abrakadoodle is devoted to quality and brings safe, high quality Crayola® art materials and art supplies to all of its classes and programs for children. The imaginative curriculum is developed by artists and educators and exceeds National Standards for Visual Arts Education.

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