The California Arts Council will award $42,500 to Nimbus Arts as part of its “JUMP StArts” program.
The program supports high-quality arts education and artists-in-residence programs for youth engaged in the juvenile justice system. Activities may take place in classroom, after-school, social services, or incarceration settings. The proposed project must be designed and developed in partnership between an arts organization and a juvenile justice/social services entity. The project should demonstrate significant planning and should reflect a collaborative relationship between the partnering organizations.
The JUMP StArts grant allows Nimbus Arts to deliver bold and high-quality fine and industrial arts education to youth engaged in the Napa County Juvenile Court and Community Schools. The comprehensive program includes standards-based, innovative instructional design and formal training for teaching artists and partners to respond to student needs.
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In place since spring 2016, the Court and Community Schools/Nimbus Arts partnership is evolving from a pilot program serving 50 students to a robust curriculum element that will serve more than 175 students. Art instruction through Nimbus Arts provides new outlets for self-expression and develops skills that can support a career.
Students are taught and mentored by a team of professional Nimbus Arts staff and teaching artists who will gain greater expertise as educators through training and development programs funded through this grant.
Our work with the Court and Community Schools students affirms our belief that “art improves lives” and supports our mission to make art accessible and available across the Napa Valley.
Caroline Wilson, Director, Juvenile Court and Community Schools, Napa County Office of Education, said, “We knew we needed a more extensive art program, but we didn’t realize how therapeutic art could be for our students. Nimbus Arts has been transformative for so many of our students.”
Nimbus Arts is one of 46 grantees chosen for this program. The award was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council.
“The California Arts Council believes in the potential of the arts to enrich the lives of all our state’s residents, especially our young people,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “That belief does not change with our system-engaged youth; it grows stronger. The world we create for our young people today determines our world tomorrow. We are proud to support the work of Nimbus Arts.”
Jamie Graff is executive director of Nimbus Arts.
