San Diego Symphony Awarded California Arts Council “Arts Education: Exposure” Grant

San Diego Symphony Awarded California Arts Council “Arts Education: Exposure” Grant

State funds support attendance at performances and exhibitions for students with limited access

San Diego, Calif. – The California Arts Council announced its plans to award $13,600 to the San Diego Symphony as part of its Arts Education: Exposure program.

As a segment of the California Arts Council Arts Education grant opportunities, Exposure grants support attendance at performances and exhibitions for students who may otherwise have limited access to these experiences. The impact of student attendance at these events is complemented by pre- and post-attendance activities.

With support from the California Arts Council, San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association will provide complimentary tickets to 10 schools that have yet to bring students to a Young People’s Concert so that they can bring classes to one of four February 2019 performances. Funding for bus transportation will also be provided as needed. The concert program will build on the Symphony's fourth month-long Festival, Hearing the Future: Visionaries (January/February 2019). 

“The unique format of our Young People’s Concerts provides a learning opportunity for students as it is often their first experience with an orchestra concert,” said Maria Cecilia Araujo, San Diego Symphony vice president of learning and community engagement. “Our mission is to change lives through music, and we are thrilled to be able to reach further into the community with the help of the Exposure grant.”

The San Diego Symphony is one of 113 grantees chosen for the Arts Education: Exposure program. The award was featured as part of a larger announcement from the California Arts Council.

“Studies have shown that projects like the San Diego Symphony’s Young People’s Concerts that offer real-world, authentic interaction with the arts have a rewarding effect on learning ability,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “These early life experiences can spark interests, provoke thought, and build a student’s capacity for success. The path of what’s possible is widened by every opportunity to step outside the familiar.”

To view a complete listing of all Arts Education Exposure grantees, visit http://arts.ca.gov/programs/files/FY1718_ProjectDescriptions_AE-EXP.pdf.

To purchase subscriptions and tickets for this season’s performances at the San Diego Symphony, visit www.sandiegosymphony.org.

About the San Diego Symphony

Founded in 1910, the San Diego Symphony is the oldest orchestra in California and one of the largest and most significant cultural organizations in San Diego. The Orchestra performs for over 250,000 people each season, offering a wide variety of programming at its two much loved venues, Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego and the Embarcadero Marina Park South on San Diego Bay. In early 2018, the San Diego Symphony announced the appointment of Rafael Payare as music director designate. Payare will lead the orchestra’s 82 full-time musicians, graduates of the finest and most celebrated music schools in the United States and abroad, also serve as the orchestra for the San Diego Opera each season, as well as performing at several regional performing arts centers. For over 30 years, the San Diego Symphony has provided comprehensive music education and community engagement programs reaching more than 65,000 students annually and bringing innovative programming to San Diego’s diverse neighborhoods and schools. For more information, visit www.sandiegosymphony.org.

About California Arts Council

The mission of the California Arts Council, a state agency, is to advance California through the arts and creativity. The Council is committed to building public will and resources for the arts; fostering accessible arts initiatives that reflect contributions from all of California's diverse populations; serving as a thought leader and champion for the arts; and providing effective and relevant programs and services.

Members of the California Arts Council include: Chair Nashormeh Lindo, Vice Chair Larry Baza, Phoebe Beasley, Christopher Coppola, Juan Devis, Kathleen Gallegos, Jaime Galli, Donn K. Harris, Louise McGuinness, Steven Oliver, and Rosalind Wyman. Learn more at www.arts.ca.gov.