Groundswell's Art Education Programs Receive Transformative Grant From The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation

It was recently announced that Groundswell will receive a 3-year, $300,000 grant from The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation to support School-Based programming across the five boroughs of New York City. Groundswell is incredibly excited to deepen the impact of it’s programming in public schools in the years to come.

Groundswell’s School-Based programs create access to challenging, standards-based visual and digital arts learning experiences for 15-20 schools each year throughout New York City. Whether through the fabrication of community murals or the creation of independent portfolios of artwork, participants in Groundswell’s School-Based programs receive engaging creative skill development, seeding a next generation of artists and change-makers.

With a shared vision for powerful arts experiences within the classroom, Groundswell and The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation have built a long partnership and friendship over the years. This grant will enable Groundswell to deepen programming through multi-year relationships with schools, regardless of the schools’ funding capacities. 

The deepening of the investment into art and art education programs comes at a time where, on average, NYC public schools are only about to dedicate 1 Visual Art Teacher per 61 students. Unfortunately, in some areas of the city, that number jumps to 115 students or even 160 students per 1 Visual Art Teacher. Groundswell focuses over 70% of School Based programming in city council districts with higher need, ensuring that all students have access to high quality, social-justice based arts programming.

"We are thrilled to receive this grant from The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation. The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation has demonstrated a deep commitment to ensuring that New York City Public School students receive a rich and rigorous art education. Groundswell is proud to continue our partnership in such a deep and impactful way" Groundswell Executive Director, Robyne Walker Murphy said of the grant.