Sandy Springs Arts Foundation announced that ARTBEAT, its visual and performing arts showcase, raised $75,000 to support the arts in Sandy Springs schools.
“Our premiere ARTBEAT event was a fabulous opportunity for our Sandy Springs-located students to showcase their talent and passion for the arts,” said Sandy Springs Arts Foundation (SSAF) board member and community leader, Jan Collins, in a news release. “Having the opportunity to perform on the grand stage of the Byers Theatre and display their art in the Byers lobby was a thrill for students and audiences alike.”
More than 400 students participated in the event held at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center on Feb. 8. They attend Ridgeview Charter Middle School, Riverwood International Charter High School, Sandy Springs Charter Middle School, and North Springs Charter High School.
The student artists also presented more than 120 pieces of 2D and 3D visual art and danced, sang, and performed a variety of music genres. Approximately 800 attendees enjoyed the event, the release said.
The funds raised through our community are being donated to the participating schools, which will use the funds for art-related items such as instruments, paint, consumables, software, lighting.
The SSAF said investment in public schools and the arts is important as public schools are the heartbeats of neighborhoods. Seven of the eleven public schools in Sandy Springs are Title 1. More than 40 percent of the schools’ populations are in households below the poverty line.
SSAF said research shows that the positive effects of the arts are especially beneficial for low-socioeconomic status students. At-risk students who take art are more likely to stay in school and get college degrees.
Students with an arts education have higher GPAs, standardized test scores, and lower drop-out rates.
ASSAF is planning for ARBEAT 2026. To learn more about SSAF and its initiatives, visit www.ssarts.org.
