NEWS RELEASE
AURORA CULTURAL CENTRE
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On Saturday, Oct. 1, local MPPs Michael Parsa and Dawn Gallagher Murphy attended the launch of the Aurora Cultural Centre’s (ACC) Kaleidoscope in the Schools (“KITS”), a unique, full-service professional performing arts program built by the ACC. The KITS program removes multiple barriers to access so that everyone, regardless of economic background, socio-dependency or exceptionality can participate. The MPPs formally congratulated the Centre on its work with the $200,000 Grow grant it received from OTF in 2020 to expand the KITS program.
“The importance of Kaleidoscope in the Schools (KITS) program cannot be overstated,” said Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. “By removing the barriers to access professional performing arts programs, the Aurora Cultural Centre is ensuring that every child has an opportunity to experience art. I’m very proud of the work that has been accomplished so far through the OTF Grow Grant and I look forward to the programs they will be delivering in the future.”
A fundamental principle of the Kaleidoscope in the Schools program is that it is funded by and for the community. The program serves students in junior kindergarten to Grade four, including a professional development component for their teachers, pre-show activities, an assembly performance, post-show activities or small-group workshops with the performing artists, and a connection with their families. “KITS4KIDS” is a perpetual crowdfunding campaign that creates sustainability.
“Through programs like Kaleidoscope in the Schools, children of all abilities and backgrounds have access to performing arts programs. Supporting the next generation in their learning and development is a priority of the government to ensure a vibrant future for all," said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket-Aurora.
The Aurora Cultural Centre plans to bring this program to all publicly funded schools in Aurora, and all historically under-resourced elementary schools in York Region as defined by the region’s school boards. To reach these 52 elementary schools and over 12,000 kids, the Aurora Culture Centre needs $278,000 annually, which is 927 people giving a minimum of $25 per month. The ACC believes the KITS program opens doors to creativity and tolerance and creates lasting positive memories through a shared experience of the arts.
“The KITS pilot program in our Aurora community was highly successful, and received clear and positive feedback,” said Suzanne Haines, Executive Director of the Aurora Cultural Centre. “This included information about student experiences that described their learning and creative initiatives that resulted from the program. Teachers reported multiple impacts, including new approaches to arts integration applicable to the broader curriculum, and enhanced knowledge supporting specific arts curriculum needs. We are delighted that our stakeholders continue to look for ways to continue to implement this program into the future, and to help us grow so we can deliver to those who do not have access to the arts in greater York Region.”
Thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for its support of Kaleidoscope in the Schools.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested nearly $209M into 2,042 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Since 2020, OTF has supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
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