The Work of Art focuses on integrating art into education

The Work of Art is focused on bringing more art into Detroit's K-12 classrooms but not in the traditional way of proving resources for art classes. The new nonprofit wants to infuse art into the rest of the classes.

The downtown Detroit-based organization gives out grants, think small four-figures, to local teachers so they can put art into their lessons plans. For instance, the nonprofit supported a history teacher at the University Prepatory Academy who had her students write, put on and perform an original play about U.S. history.

"It's meant for a teacher to integrate art education into their classroom," says Amanda Kokas, founder of The Work of Art. "We want to give them the opportunity to expose their students to art."

Kokas is a former teacher in New York City who recently moved back to Michigan. Her passion for art education inspired her to start The Work of Art last year. In its first year, it awarded $10,000 to four teachers to inject more art into their professions. This year Kokas has raised $14,000 and is aiming for hit $20,000 by the start of the school year.

"We are hoping to at least double the number of grants we are giving out," Kokas says.

Source: Amanda Kokas, founder of The Work of Art
Writer: Jon Zemke

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