With funding cuts and desperate pleas for tax increases, art programs aren't always on the front burner at California schools. But one art dealing giant's surprising campaign aims to change just that.
Art.com, one of the world's largest online art dealers, has launched "Like" Art in Schools, a social media campaign that will donate famous prints to three schools in need, including two in San Francisco.
Both Daniel Webster Elementary School and Creative Arts Charter School are included as beneficiaries in the campaign, in which Art.com will donate works of art in exchange for likes on the campaign Facebook page.
“At Art.com, we believe in the power of art to encourage learning, cognition and critical thinking, so we understand the importance of improving art education in school,” said Ivy Ross, Chief Marketing Officer of Art.com Inc. in a release. “By leveraging online voting and social media to donate art to three worthy schools, we’re able to get the communities involved, share the power of art with children, parents and teachers, and spread excitement about art in the classroom.”
For every 250 likes a school gains, Art.com will donate one work to the school. And the works are worth fighting for: included in the galleries are prints from Wayne Thiebaud, Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.
“Our school was founded on the belief that the education of the whole child includes ongoing exploration in dance, theatre, music and visual arts," said Ann Ledo Lane, Director of Arts Programming at Creative Arts Charter School in a release. "To be able to deliver the kind of outstanding educational experience that our children deserve, we rely on partnerships with others who share this vision."
The three schools can each earn up to 24 works, and though Art.com's generosity might be fueled by a desire for an increased social media presence, we think the ends justify the means in this case.
Check out some of the art included in the campaign in the slideshow below, and vote for your school at Art.com. All piece are available for purchase on Art.com.
