The arts are often the first to be cut from public school budgets and sadly, they are simply out of reach for many low-income families. The cost of private lessons can mean the difference between a guitar lesson and having food on the table. It is so important to the cognitive development of our young people and especially those who do not learn well in traditional settings to be able to express themselves through song, dance, art or acting. When young people are enriched by the arts, they do better in their regular school classes, they make like-minded friends, they find mentors and look forward to higher education goals. They learn to collaborate and reach for the stars. This is why Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation (PRYAF) was created with a mission to enrich the lives of area youth with free classes in the visual and performing arts in a safe, nurturing environment. They provide over 300 students ages 5–18 with over fifty weekly classes and serve over 1,200 students annually on the Central Coast.
Join Fred Munroe as he speaks with guests from the Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation, Emily Jagger, Director of Development and Klar Harder, Performing Arts Instructor as they discuss their efforts to expand their work providing children with the opportunity to participate in a variety of art programs, and enrich their lives through art, and in doing so allow students to find their voices and selves in a sometimes unstable world, where they become caring and thoughtful young members of our community and the world.
Broadcast date: 3/12/2020
Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX and made possible through underwriting by Joan Gellert-Sargen.
