Arts For the Schools

We were fortunate enough to attend Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu which was presented by Arts for the Schools. The performance was outstanding and at a caliber two notches above what I would expect for a rural region. Thank you AFtS!

Exposure to art and it's creation is an important part of a child's upbringing and education. The opportunity to appreciate others' art. The opportunity to be creative oneself. The child who receives these opportunities is far the richer. The Arts for the School programs fills this need marvelously for the North Tahoe area and I support their efforts wholeheartedly.

As a volunteer on the technical side of the performances I have been able to see the incredible striving for a high quality experience for our school students on two sides: Arts for the Schools as an organization and the incredible performers they bring in. First Raine Howe, executive director, is tireless and extremely competent in her efforts to bring the very best performances to our schools and at the same time being the person who marshals the resources needed to do this. I'm continually amazed at her ability to align sponsors, grants and community support in this effort. Her program staff have been wonderful in working with the volunteers and in providing the performers with a first class experience while they are in this area. The other side of this coin for me has been to experience not only the professionalism of these world-class acts but to see how much they care about having an effect on the young audiences they face. It is truly delightful to see the interaction between them. Students benefit from seeing performances that expand their perception of the world of artistic performance. Many of them have opportunities to interact directly through workshops and residence programs. Arts for the Schools is the only way these experiences are made available through the local schools.

As a Board member, my “goal” is to enable this special organization to continue to provide extraordinary and affordable hands-on arts experiences to both our school children and to the community at large. I don’t think I have ever encountered a person – child or adult – who has attended a performance or seen the results of a visual arts project, who has not been blown away by the quality of their experience. The commitment of our Executive Director and the support of our community are making this goal closer to a reality. Arts For the Schools is a unique gem that we need to preserve in our North Tahoe community!

I have been a Trustee of Arts For the Schools for six years and have served on other non-profit Boards of Directors over the last decade. In addition, I've served a number of local non-profits in a volunteer basis. Arts For the Schools fills a unique niche in three distinct areas of programming: providing hands-on visual art instruction in the classroom, interactive multicultural arts performances for students and a broad range of performing arts events for the community. The value of Arts For the Schools offerings for the communities in this region is difficult to overstate: for many children in this area, our programs may be the only exposure to African or Asian culture they have ever had or WILL ever have. It's a big responsibility, but Arts For the Schools meets the challenge.

Having been involved in the Arts in other locations before, it astounds me to see the amazing level of professionalism in the artists with whom our local students have the opportunity to work with and learn from. These are unique opportunities of national and internation stature available to kids right here in Truckee. They have no idea how very lucky they are...These oportunities are priceless.

I have read the other reviews and can only add my confirmation to the things that have been said. This organization fills such a void in our community. As a board member, volunteer and donor I also want to reiterate how AFtS has evolved, making the leap from an incredibly driven and inspired founder to a board governed organization with paid staff. Raine, as executive director, has filled some very big shoes. She does so with much skill and enthusiasm. Her love for what she is doing is evident and is taking us to another level.

I have enjoyed the benefits provided to our community by Arts for the Schools as an audience member, parent and educator. There are many students within our district who see the opportunities offered by Arts for the Schools as a "life-line" . The organization brings natiaonally recognized performers to a region that is geographically isolated. It also provides many enrichment opportunities that have expanded the minds of our youth. Without Arts for the Schools, the quality of life in our region would be significantly diminished.

George Washington reminds us, “To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes his country.” Raine Howe has embraced that duty and is carrying the banner in Tahoe-Truckee with “Arts for the Schools.” Support extended to “Arts for the Schools” is repaid time and time again.
McAvoy Layne

Arts For the Schools has been instrumental in bringing unique art forms and different cultural events to the Truckee Tahoe region - giving the children a peek into a greater world out there. My husband and I have thoroughly enjoyed the performances and exhibits and hope to see many more in the future!

Our family looks forward to the Arts for the Schools performances, as they provide exposure to unique experiences not only for the kids but for the community as a whole. The care taken in the selection of the Arts presented is obvious, contribute a great deal to the culture of Truckee, and is a real credit to the organization. We intend to continue to attend as many of these as possible, and we share the opportunity with friends and family. Keep up the good work!

My wife and I have been to a number of performances Arts for the Schools has staged in the area, and we are aware of the work the organization does for the community in the Truckee Tahoe area. We admire Raine's efforts and what the organization has been able to accomplish with a modest (to say the least...) budget. We will continue to be donors.

Living in a small community in the mountains makes it hard to get the local children in front of cultural and educational art. Arts for the Schools continues to bring this much needed art to our area. Children who would otherwise never see live performance art or live music are able to partake and be enriched by this fantastic organization. We are so fortunate to have them working for our community!

There is nothing like a bunch of wiggly kids generating energy while they wait for an Arts for the Schools performance. It's our one and only chance to expose our kids to a variety of culturally diverse professional perfomances. The kids get so excited they can't sit still. I've even seen them climb on to the stage "en mass" to try out their new hip hop moves during intermission. As a community member I attend as many performances as I can.

My three children have had the opportunity to participate in many Arts For The School programs. We still cherish the eggs that they painted under the tutelage of artist Cathy St Clair. We are exposed to many wonderful musical events, dances...not to mention artists from around the globe. We are very thankful for this program & hope it will continue to grow & prosper.

Arts for the Schools has brought Performances to a community that is otherwise void of such opportunities. It is the ONLY arts organization that includes all components of professional dance, music, and plays of all types. My favorites include Vagabond Opera and Project Bandaloop. This organization is critically needed in our community.

My husband and I have attended on-stage performances sponsored by Arts For The Schools for many years. Under the leadership of Executive Director, Raine Howe, more and better programs are reaching our rural audience. Most recently, AFTS has added a series of visual art/healing art workshops. I attended one of these workshops and was impressed by both the facilitation process and the talent of the workshop leader.

The caliber of performers Arts for the Schools provides in our community for both adults and children is phenomenal. I've attended at least half of all the programs provided in the last 10 years and feel honored to have experienced such wonderful education and entertainment. We need to continue to support this valuable organization that shapes so many children's perceptions of art in a positive way. Barbara Kramen-Kahn, Ph.D.