Monroe County Apartment Association endows Ivy Tech’s youth arts fund

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2014

Monroe County Apartment Association endows Ivy Tech’s youth arts fund

BLOOMINGTON – The Monroe County Apartment Association today presented a check for $10,000 to the Ivy Tech Foundation to endow a fund that will help area youth participate in summer art camps.

Speaking to members at the association’s monthly meeting, president Aaron Stolberg stressed MCAA’s commitment to community engagement, and in this instance, to underserved children.

“When we improve the lives of children, we strengthen the community,” said Stolberg, who is a partner with Bloomington-based WS Manors. “This fund has the potential to be transformational for many kids who might never know the fun of summer camp and of expressing themselves through the magical medium of art.”

In concert with donations made by MCAA individual members, the fund in its initial year will underwrite participation of at least 10 school-age students to enroll in a two-week session of the college’s Ivy Arts for Kids summer camp held at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center in downtown Bloomington. To be eligible for the assistance, families must qualify for federal free and reduced lunch benefits.

Youth art is a growing program for the college, according to Brad Thurmond, Ph.D., interim chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus. “The research demonstrating positive linkages between the arts and human development, especially for youth, is compelling,” he said. “We view these programs as investments in our future students.”

“This is a critical piece in helping the college connect arts opportunities with children from low income households,” said Susie Graham, director of development for Ivy Tech-Bloomington Foundation. “We’re tremendously grateful to MCAA for this generous investment.”