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Bad Dog Rediscovers America Receives $25,000 Grant
July 16, 2009
Bad Dog Rediscovers America (Bad Dog), a local nonprofit youth art organization is a recipient of $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This grant will help Bad Dog take art programs to about 1,000 underserved children in three Title 1 elementary schools in the Salt Lake valley this year.
Bad Dog is honored to be one of only three organizations in the state, and one of only twenty-eight art service centers in the country to receive ARRA funding. Ballet West and Spyhop are the other two Utah recipients. Bad Dog like other nonprofits is experiencing a decline of funding due to the current economics. Although many funders are continuing to support worthy projects it is not at the same level. This funding will preserve jobs of staff and provide wages for artists working with Bad Dog, to continue serving the children in our community.
Bad Dog's Mission is: To inspire youth from diverse cultures to experience the power and freedom to imagine, dare, and create new possibilities, individually and collaboratively, through the creative arts. Experienced artists/mentors help young people develop their imaginations and strive for excellence in drawing, painting, sculpture, creative writing, and digital multimedia.
Bad Dog offers programs for children at the Bad Dog studio, and partners through local schools, and other programs within the community, which include working with autistic children, teen programs, and working with diverse populations such as refugees at the Hartland Youth program. Many of these children do not experience art regularly, but through these programs great potential for future art is untapped. These programs not only give children art experience, but also creative thinking and problem solving skills, and pride in craftsmanship. With the help of Bad Dog, these children who do not normally get the chance to express themselves through art are provided the opportunity.
The NEA is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education, because a "great nation deserves great art". The Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts.
Bad Dog is dedicated to helping young people explore their creativity, ignite their imagination, and build self worth. For a full list of grant recipients, visit www.nea.gov/recovery/nea-recovery-act-grants.html. For more information about Bad Dog Rediscovers America, call 801-322-3816 or visit the website at www.baddogkids.org.
