BSK Grant Funds Three Years Of Arts
Bigger Sky Kids received confirmation last week that the after school organization has received a grant from the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation in the amount of $23,550. According to BSK president Char Matejovsky, the award will fully fund Cathryn McIntyre’s class in studio art for three years, starting in fall 2021 and continuing through spring 2024.
“Cat does an amazing job,” said Matejovsky. “We have been wanting to commit to her and her students for a longer term. Our heartfelt thanks go to the DPW Foundation for making that possible.”
“We are so incredibly blessed to look forward to three more years,” said McIntyre. “There is no stopping the growth that art creates in kids’ lives. You can see it and feel it when you’re around them.”
BSK sponsors after-school, art-based instruction and provides a safe place for children to participate in program activities. The group meets and hosts classes at First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point.
According to Matejovsky, the organization is looking to broaden its programming to include more art specialties, such as pottery, piano, photography and videography. “We’re also very committed to establishing a strong component of Native American arts,” she said. “It takes time to identify teachers and find funding to bring them into our orbit. With the painting class secure for the near future, BSK’s board and program committee can devote more time and energy to those efforts.”
BSK serves Wolf Point children from grades four through eight. Its programs are cost-free to participating families. There are no ethnic, gender, means or other tests for participation. For more information about this class or the program in general, visit biggerskykids.org or contact Barbara Olson at Northside School.
