By Daily Press staff
Give local school students a chance to pick up a paintbrush or a musical instrument by attending one of the events put on by the Education Foundation of Santa Monica.
This holiday season, five events that bring together artistic expression across all mediums to benefit For The Arts, a community-wide effort to ensure that every student in local public schools receives a broad introduction to the arts.
“To many people’s surprise, Santa Monica’s student body is 43 percent minority,” said Linda Gross, executive director of the education foundation of Santa Monica-Malibu. “A third have yearly household incomes of under $22,500; a third receive subsidized lunches. This is a very diverse community with real educational challenges that the Ed Foundation and For The Arts are trying to meet.
“Many kids have never been to a live performance, never seen dance, and never been shown paintings or art,” she added.
The Education Foundation was established 22 years ago to provide funding for public school programs in Santa Monica and Malibu. For The Arts, launched two years ago, raises money to establish arts programs throughout the school district.
Upcoming events: ■ Sam Francis online art auction: Nov. 8–14. An on-line auction featuring the sale of 25 signed color lithographs and eight signed black and white lithographs from the Sam Francis collection. The works range through the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s. The collection is to be auctioned on E-Bay from Nov. 8-14. Log on to: http://stores.ebay.com/fortheartsartauction. ■ For The Arts will present a special benefit performance of Westside Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” on Friday, Dec. 10, at the Wadsworth Theater. The holiday classic will feature young dancers from the community, as well as professional guest stars. All monies raised from this special performance will support ongoing funding for dance programs in Santa Monica and Malibu schools. VIP tickets with preferred seating, $100; adult supporter, $50; children 12 and under, $25. ■ Grammy Jam: Earth, Wind & Fire, Saturday, Dec. 11 at The Wiltern LG. The Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy & the Entertainment Industry Foundation present GRAMMY Jam, celebrating the music of Earth, Wind & Fire. For information, call (310) 581-8683, or to order tickets, call 5B Events at (310) 559-9334. Identify yourself as a For The Arts supporter. ■ For The Arts holiday gift cards. For a minimum donation of $10 you can receive a holiday gift card. A special holiday message is included in each card that reads, “In the spirit of community, a donation has been made in your honor to For The Arts.”
To order cards or purchase tickets, call The Ed Foundation at (310) 396-4557, or e-mail Lulu sets example for St. Joseph Center
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 6, 2004. Read the original PDF.