Introducing two weeks of DonorsChoose.org

Only on MAN: Earlier today, Dia director Jeffrey Weiss talked to MAN about the sale of Dia's Chelsea exhibition space, how the money will be used, and more.

Oodles of research reveals just how important arts education is when it comes to developing young minds. According to Americans for the Arts, young people who participate in the arts are many times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to be elected to class office within their schools, and are more likely to participate in a math and science fair. Before I was born my mother was an art educator, so I'm particularly disappointed in how a lack of prioritization, the so-called No Child Left Behind law and other factors have driven the arts out of public schools.

A few weeks ago I learned about a micro-philanthropy website called DonorsChoose.org. The concept is simple: When school teachers have programs they want to implement that go beyond what their (typically disadvantaged) schools will support, they post 'proposals' to the DonorsChoose.org website and ask microphilanthropists for a few hundred dollars in direct project support. (Here's more on how it works.) So far the site has raised almost $16 million for projects that have served 800,000 kids.

Every day between now and Christmas I'll be posting on arts-related project from DonorsChoose. Most of them will require less than $500 to fully fund. DonorsChoose accepts microphilanthropic gifts of $10 and up. I hope MAN readers support worthy projects either as individuals or as a group. I'll list donors on Christmas Day. If you put a little group together, say the 'Springfield Art Museum curatorial department,' email me so that I know to list you as such. I've started a web page where you can see a list of proposals and where you can track our progress.

Today's project comes from Washington Elementary School in Fort Wayne, Ind. It needs $442 worth of donations to be fully funded:

I am a first year art teacher of students in grades K-5 at a Title I school.

These kids love art and they love to read. I go to the public library to check out art related books for them to read at the end of art class. Many students plead to take the books home but I cannot allow that. They also ask if I can copy pages from the "How to Draw" books. Due to copyright laws, I can't do that either.

By getting my proposal funded, I will be able to create an Art Library from which students can check out books to take home for short periods of time. By taking the art books from my library they will still be able to take 2 books a week, on other topics, from the regular school library. I hope to add to my Art Library with future proposals on other art topics. Also, many of our low income students come from families who do not have transportation to get them to a public library.

The drawing books would be used all year long in class and at home. At the start of each school year the basic concepts of lines and shapes are taught. Students are then expected to draw familiar objects using many different types of lines. They are most eager to draw things familiar to them, such as animals, super heroes, and cartoon characters. Having many books with these kinds of drawings will give students the chance to succeed and feel good about drawing. Most young kids do not think they are very good at drawing. By taking the drawing books home they will increase the amount of time applying their newly learned skills. I am also expecting to have more student art chosen for display at our local children's art show.

Your help will make it possible for my students to expand their observation and drawing skills and give them access to resources that more affluent students take for granted. Seeing the expressions on the faces of students when they produce a drawing that they thought was too hard is priceless, and the increase of their self-esteem is unmeasurable. Thank You in advance!!!

My project needs nearly 50 book titles to encourage art students to look for patterns and details in the everyday objects they like to draw.

To give to this project, please click here.