Elev8 Arts Foundation is a catalyst for elevating arts in San Diego’s East County by providing scholarships for low-income youth, offering arts classes for children with special needs, and supporting arts education in our local schools. The foundation provides financial assistance for arts training through a variety of memorial and opportunity fund scholarships to children in San Diego. Scholarshi
ps are awarded to students ages 5 to 18 who demonstrate leadership, a positive work ethic, school and community involvement, academic achievement, and the potential to benefit from training in the arts. In addition, the foundation provides funds to offer classes for children with special needs at no cost to their families. Elev8 Arts also supports arts education in local schools by providing supplies, classes, and educational assemblies. The foundation is guided by 8 core values and strives to instill these values in all participating students and scholarship recipients. Access - Elev8 Arts Foundation seeks to increase access to the arts for all. By increasing access to the arts, we are creating a stronger community and a better world. As Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, said, “Students who have arts-rich experiences do better across-the-board academically, and they also become more active and engaged citizens, voting, volunteering, and generally participating at higher rates than their peers.”
Creativity - Elev8 Arts Foundation works to foster the development of creativity in all children. New and innovative ideas and forms of expression are needed for communities to thrive, and ideas are born of creativity. Creativity is the freest form of self-expression. Through creative activities, children learn to express themselves openly and without judgment. The ability to create something from personal feelings and experiences can reflect and nurture children's emotional health. The experiences children have during their early years significantly enhance the development of their creativity. Excellence - Elev8 Arts Foundation believes that anything worth doing is worth doing well. We provide the financial aid necessary for students to develop and refine their talents and reach their greatest potential. Elev8 Arts scholarship recipients are encouraged to strive for excellence in all their endeavors. As Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act, but a habit.”
Confidence - Elev8 Arts Foundation seeks to build self-confidence in all children. Participating in the arts helps improve a child’s confidence and self-esteem. This, in turn, also impacts their performance in school and how they interact with others. As students’ confidence grows, so does their ability to positively impact the world around them. “Self-esteem is the mainspring that slates every child for success or failure as a human being.” ~Dorothy Briggs
Leadership - Elev8 Arts Foundation believes that arts education builds great young people who are leaders in their schools and communities. As part of their scholarship with Elev8 Arts, all scholarship recipients will receive leadership training classes to help them develop life skills, including leadership, communication, and conflict resolution. Community - Elev8 Arts Foundation knows that being a part of a healthy community can help us feel connected to others and feel part of something larger than ourselves. All Elev8 Arts students are invited to participate in giving back to their local communities and sharing their talents for the benefit and inspiration of those around them. Resilience - Elev8 Arts Foundation understands that resilience is necessary for success. Resilient children bounce back after challenges and can recover from setbacks. Resilience develops when children experience challenges and learn to deal with them positively. The foundation works with arts educators who are dedicated to helping students overcome challenges and grow in resilience. Legacy - Elev8 Arts Foundation believes that it is our responsibility to leave a legacy for future generations. Access to the arts makes the world a better place, and we want to build a future where artistic communities flourish. All scholarship recipients will be encouraged to participate in fundraising events to aid future scholarship recipients and pay it forward.
