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Arts for Learning (A4L) has announced a $25,000 grant from The Kirk Foundation for the launch of a comprehensive 17-week arts education program, in partnership with Centro Campesino.
The program will serve 140 students from kindergarten through eighth grade at two South Florida locations, providing them with access to enriching visual and performing arts classes beginning in January.
The partnership celebrates a reunification of A4L and The Kirk Foundation, R. Kirk Landon’s charitable initiative. Landon, who passed in 2015, was a pillar of philanthropy and helped establish A4L more than 20 years ago by providing its first financial gift and served as its founding board chair. He served on the A4L Board of Directors from 2001 to 2008 and holds the title of chair emeritus.
Wanting South Florida’s children to have access to world class educational opportunities and experiences in the arts, Landon commissioned a study in Miami and found that students were still not receiving the level of arts instruction that studies were beginning to show correlated to the development of higher academic achievement and life skills development. Determined to address this, Landon provided a $150,000 seed grant and convened local leaders to establish Arts for Learning as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2001.
Under his vision and support, the organization grew to become one of South Florida’s leading providers of arts education programming. A4L now annually reaches more than 5,000 children in schools, preschools, parks, and community centers. Today, A4L continues to inspire, empower, and prepare young people through the transformative power of the arts.
With the goals of supporting developmental outcomes for children and youth through the arts at all stages and ages and removing any barriers that prevent children from having access to hands-on arts learning, A4L will serve 70 students at each of Centro Campesino’s afterschool locations (35801 SW 186 Ave., Homestead, FL 33034) and the Everglades Community Association (19308 SW 380 St., Florida City, FL 33034). Students will participate in weekly sessions designed to support creativity, critical thinking, social-emotional learning, and collaboration.
“This partnership with Arts for Learning enables us to offer enhanced and specialized arts experiences to the youth we serve.” said Barbara Cesar, director of Education at Centro Campesino.
This initiative addresses a critical gap in arts access for South Dade youth. Centro Campesino has long advocated for programming to support families in the region, which often lack resources to explore activities outside of school. A4L’s program will ensure that students have a supportive, safe environment to develop artistic skills and foster personal growth. The program follows a six-step creative process that includes igniting curiosity, researching, creating, refining, presenting, and reflecting.
“Expanding our programs into the South Dade community has been a strategic goal for Arts for Learning. We are working to bring as many programs as possible to the area and are delighted that the partnership with Centro Campesino has the seed funding it needs to launch,” said Sheila Womble, executive director of A4L. “Having the support from The Kirk Foundation is incredibly meaningful. They helped us start our initial work 24 years ago with not only financial support but leadership, guidance, and friendship. Having them help us start a new effort that will grow and thrive just as A4L has done through the years feels very special.
“We have always shared the same goals as the foundation. We want children to thrive and the arts are a key way to ensure children have deep and meaningful engagement in learning. We cherish The Kirk Foundation, their continued support, and all they do for the community,” Womble said.
“We are proud to once again support Arts for Learning’s work, helping them expand to Centro Campesino in bringing high-quality arts education to students in South Dade,” said Rosa Santiago, president at The Kirk Foundation. “This program aligns with our mission. We believe that through the arts, these students will gain not only creative skills but also confidence and resilience that will serve them throughout their lives.”
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