Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers

Maritz

Maritz, in collaboration with the Arts and Education Council, awarded $20,000 in grants ranging from $150 – 5,000 each to ten arts education projects in the St. Louis bi-state area as a part of the Maritz Arts and Education Fund. Maritz and the Arts and Education Council partnered to offer this unique funding opportunity to individual schools and non-profit organizations to support projects and opportunities that encourage creativity in the classroom.  See the impact that the 2011 Maritz Arts and Education Fund had on last year's recipients.

“At Maritz, we are dedicated to empowering people to reach their full potential and ensuring a solid and bright future for generations to come,” says Debbie Schirmer, community affairs manager at Maritz, “and we feel the best way Maritz can have an impact in the communities in which we live and work is to align ourselves with educational endeavors.  The partnership with the Arts and Education Council, through the Maritz Arts and Education Fund, not only exemplifies our company’s mission, but also has better connected our two organizations to have a greater impact in the community,” says Debbie.


The following programs received a 2012 Maritz Arts and Education Fund for Teachers Grant:

Churchill Center & School for Learning Disabilities - Sericulture in the Art Room 
Within the art classroom, learning disabled students in elementary and middle school will experience sericulture or silk farming, by studying and cultivating silkworms. The silkworm’s growth and transformation will be documented through sketching and photography as the lifecycle unfolds. The growth and development of the silkworms will be infused in a variety of curriculum areas that include language arts, history, math and science. The culmination of the study will emphasize the use of silk in art.  

Gibson Elementary – SMART Technology 
Gibson Elementary will purchase, install and utilize a SMART board in the visual arts classroom. The increase in technology in the visual arts classroom will help fulfill the mission of Riverview Gardens School District by allowing students to access current and varied information on art and related subjects. The SMART board will be utilized at every level of instruction, therein effecting the education of around 400 students.   

Hancock Place Elementary School – Clay for Lemay 
This grant will enable the school to purchase a kiln and materials needed to start a ceramics program. Students will gain a deeper understanding of form, sculpture, clay and functional art. The kiln will serve over 600 students annually will be utilized for years to come.
 
McCluer High School - Dreamgirls 
This grant will allow McCluer High School to produce a full-length version of the musical Dreamgirls in honor of African American Heritage Month.  Local experts from the Black Rep and other organizations will speak to the student body about African American theatrical traditions. Over 50 students will participate in the play and over 1500 students will have the opportunity to see the completed production.

O’Fallon Township High School – Cahokia Pottery Experience
Students will study woodland and mississippian pottery. Studies will include investigating actual ceramic artifacts including details and notes about surface textures and construction techniques. Students will also dig up local clay, refine it using traditional techniques and create “exact” reproduction of the artifacts. As part of the study plan the students will visit Cahokia Mounds Historic Site to sketch and photograph artifacts in the interpretive center.
 
Orchard Farm Middle School – OFMS Community Mosaic
Over 236 students will create a glass mosaic for the middle school.  This group project will give the students a sense of community, creativity, and responsibility.  The finished mosaic will be in the school for years to come, filling the students with pride and accomplishment.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School –
Collages of Care
Kindergarteners and Fourth Grade buddies will create collage painting on canvas depicting a theme (hope, love, peace, joy and care). The collage paintings will be given to a new home for displaced children due to parental drug involvement being established in the community of Franklin County.

Our Lady of Providence School –
Collaboration with Nature and Art
Students will work with artist/naturalist Andy Goldsworthy for a collaboration of art and nature.  Students will use natural materials such as stone, rocks, branches, and water among other materials to create works of art.  This project is a learning experience for all ages to explore the dynamic relationship between art and the science of nature and our earthly elements.

St. Mary’s High School – Empty Bowls Project
Students will host an Empty Bowls Project to raise money for the Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen and awareness for hunger in our community.  St. Mary’s students will mold and glaze ceramic bowls to sell for the cause and the soup bowls will be available for purchase during Lent in 2012.

St. Patrick School – London Brass Rubbing Workshop
Middle school students in conjunction with their medieval art and history program will train in the art of brass rubbing by Maryville University professor Christine Hollenback. Over 30 historical knights, kings, ladies and animal plates will be used during the workshop and lecture series.