ShadowLight Productions Awarded California Arts Council “Artists in Schools” and “Artists in Schools - Extension” Grants

The California Arts Council announced its plans to award $14,800 to ShadowLight Productions as part of its Artists in Schools program as well as $5,500 as part of its Artists in Schools - Extension program.

The Artists in Schools program supports arts education programs for pre-K-12 students that operate on school sites during regular school hours. The Artists in Schools – Extension program is an offshoot of the Council’s signature Artists in Schools program and operates after school and during the summer, on school sites, in artistic venues, and in community settings. The intention of both programs is to offer young people sequential, hands-on-training in artistic disciplines, including dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts, that align to National Core Arts, California Visual and Performing Arts, Common Core, and/or Expanded Learning Standards

The Artists in Schools grant will support our Shadow Theatre Arts Education residency program at four San Francisco Bay Area Schools, focusing on connecting cultures, building community and creating a collaborative artistic experience for all. Each immersive residency is part of the partnering schools’ arts integration efforts and will culminate in original shadow theatre projects performed for their peers and the general public.

The Artists in Schools Extension grant will support ShadowLight Productions’ partnership with the San Francisco Columbia Park Boys & Girls Clubhouse creative arts program to teach 60 hours of arts instruction during a year-round shadow theatre after-school program. The program will culminate in original shadow theatre plays created and performed/showcased by youth participants for their peers and the community during three public performances.

“When we reflect upon our mission and the ancient shadow theatre traditions upon which we stand, we realize that the essence of our legacy lies in sharing: inspiring the next generation to take part in the long lineage of Shadow Theatre traditions. Disseminated by master artists, Shadow Theatre is traditionally a community-building art form. With this as our inspiration, we will continue to train young shadow theatre artists and performers in workshops and in our major productions, and by immersing public school students in the art from thorugh our residency program and DVD series.” – Larry Reed

To view a complete listing of all Artists in Schools grantees, visit

http://arts.ca.gov/programs/files/CAC_AIS_Engagement_Grantees_2017-18_FINAL.pdf

To view a complete listing of all Artists in School - Extension grantees, visit

http://arts.ca.gov/programs/files/CAC_AIS_Extension_Grantees_2016-17_FINAL.pdf.

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Founded in 1972 (incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1994) by filmmaker, theatre artist Larry Reed, ShadowLight Productions’ mission is to expose the general public to shadow theatre and other art forms. As one of the very few professional shadow theatre companies in the world, we strive to demonstrate a wide spectrum of Shadow Theatre to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and our arts-in-education program lies at the heart of our mission. For more information, visit www.ShadowLight.org.

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