Why the CASA Initiative Matters

On April 29, 2019, Deputy Director Karen Jolicoeur was delighted to represent Creative Art Works at an oversight hearing of the New York City's City Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations. The subject at hand was the Cultural After School Adventures (CASA) Initiative, which brings high-quality arts partnerships to New York City public schools, particularly in underserved communities. As Karen makes clear in her brief statement, there are many ancillary benefits to CASA programs, including measurable increases in school attendance, engagement, and graduation rates; as well as long-term real cost benefits to municipalities.

Watch Karen represent CAW by clicking on the video link below or read a transcript of her statement HERE.

CAW Deputy Director Karen Jolicoeur, representing CAW, packs a wealth of facts into her two-minute statement to the NY City Council

“The Americans for the Arts 2017 Social Impact of the Arts report states that after-school arts programs save cities money: ‘For every $1 spent on after-school programs, $9 will be reducing [other costs], improving academic performance, and increasing kids’ earning potential.’”
— CAW Deputy Director Karen Jolicoeur
“It was exciting, and I want everyone to experience this!”
— Bronx Middle School Student

View the entire slideshow that accompanied Karen’s statement

Many thanks to the New York City Council and Department of Cultural Affairs and the City Council Members who support CAW’s CASA programs: Mark Levine, District 7 in Manhattan; Ydanis Rodriguez, District 10 in Manhattan; and Ritchie Torres, District 15 in The Bronx.

CAW’s 2018/2019 CASA Programs included:

(Click on any blue text below to read more about that program in a previous blog).

Cartooning and Anatomy at Hamilton Grange Middle School
Props and Set Design at Hamilton Grange Middle School
Art Around the World at PS 192
Book Arts at PS/MS 278
Digital Arts at PS/MS 278
Modern and Contemporary at PS/MS 278
Drawing and Painting at MS 45
Imaginary Monuments at MS 45
Stop-motion Animation at MS 254
Sculpture at MS 254

after-school, animation, Art Around the World, cartooning, integrated, middle school, literacy-based, mixed media, out-of-school time, Programming, public speakingKaren JolicoeurCreative Art Workscaw4kids, creativeartworks, CASA, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYC City Council, artsed, arted, art education, arts, Bronx, Manhattan, public policy, West Harlem, Inwood, Jimmy Van Bramen, Ydanis Rodriguez, Ritchie Torres, Cultural After-School Adventures