Houston, TX June 24, 2004

Project GRAD Summer Fine Arts Studio
Hosts Exhibit and Concert

Melissa Carroll, Director of Public Relations
Project GRAD Houston
Tel. 832-325-0301 Cell 713-253-6953
mcarroll@projectgradhouston.org

Fine Arts summer program offers students instruction in visual and performing arts by educators and artists

What: In partnership with Marshall Academy of Fine Arts, the Fine Arts Studio provides the basic skills and knowledge in specific arts disciplines with a preliminary focus on visual arts and music in pre-k through 8 in Houston’s predominately – Hispanic North side neighborhood. Over 200 students in elementary and secondary schools in the Davis Feeder pattern are participating in the intensive 3-weeks of full-day classes this summer with students throughout the Davis feeder pattern, faculty, and resident artists.          

“The Summer Fine Arts Studio offers elementary and middle school students a visual and performing arts enrichment program in a creative and fun environment. The Studio is an extension of the Fine Arts Program during the school year. Kids are really learning and growing from this experience.” says Lisa Hooten, Director of the Fine Arts Program, Project GRAD Houston. “Students self-confidence increases through the use of fine arts as well as their skills in perception, concentration, attention to detail, and judgment.” 

The Project GRAD Fine Arts Program is the newest component of the Project GRAD model. This is the fifth year of the program in the Davis feeder elementary schools with a recent extension into the secondary schools.

Why:   Research indicates Project GRAD students perform better in an arts environment. Project GRAD students working in the arts outperform matched peers in reading and math. Students learn to strive to work on details and the whole, to change perspective, and to know a subject in depth. Some students have found ways to express artistically things they had previously only expressed with anger and sorrow. Teachers describe the schools with the Project GRAD Fine Arts Program as more open, beautiful, filled with art and music and agree that when the fine arts are incorporated, students are more involved and relationships and behavior improves.

Project GRAD serves over 133,000 students in 217 schools nationwide – over 48,000 in 73 Houston schools. The program works with Houston’s most economically disadvantaged schools with landmark results. In Davis High School, the first school in the program, Project GRAD has increased graduation rates by 77%, more than tripled college attendance, and achieved a 51 % college graduation rate for Hispanic students – doubling the national average of 26 percent.

Project GRAD addresses the obstacles to student success at school and home. It combines proven curricula, teacher training, community and parent involvement, scholarships, and ongoing program support, with the goals of increasing high school graduation rates to more than 50 percent.