FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 20, 2011
Contact: Nancy Jackson

Phone: (650) 566-8339 x 210

Email: nancy@artinaction.org

Art in Action Named Arts Organization of the Year

Art in Action, a leading nonprofit art education organization, announced today that they are honored to have been selected as the recipient of the Diamond Award for the Arts Organization of the Year. The Peninsula Arts Council Diamond Awards are presented each year to recognize outstanding contributions made by individual artists, educators, volunteers, foundations, corporations, or by government support to the arts in San Mateo County.

"The arts are vital because they teach such skills as critical thinking, creativity and cultural understanding, all required in the 21^st century global economy,” says Judy Sleeth, Executive Director of Art in Action. “We are especially thrilled to be recognized for our efforts by the Peninsula Arts Council as we approach our 30^th anniversary next year. The excitement of our 30^th year has been building as we have grown from a small local organization to a nationwide organization reaching nearly 40,000 students," Sleeth remarked.

The 10th Diamond Awards will be presented at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame, CA on February 2, 2012. For more information about the event or the Diamond Awards visit the Peninsula Arts Council website at http://www.peninsulaartscouncil.org/DiamondAwards.htm

Art in Action, founded in 1982, is a nonprofit organization that ignites students’ thinking and creativity by providing engaging visual arts programs through which they learn art history, appreciation and skills. The Art in Action curriculum is consistently praised for empowering teachers and parents to lead inspiring discussions and projects. The lessons enhance student creativity and innovative thinking, and appeal to different learning styles. The curriculum meets national core academic standards and integrates with language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The use of innovative multimedia technology in the online curriculum provides educators with new opportunities to effectively teach art education.

More information at ArtInAction.org.

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