The Rockwell Museum announced today that they have been selected to receive a grant of $19,950 from The Edith Saxton Fund for Steuben County Youth Services, administered through the Community Foundation of the Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc. The grant will support The Rockwell’s “Great Circle Program,” an early childhood artist-in-residence program for first grade students in the Bath Central School District. The Great Circle artist-in-residence program will be introduced to Bath schools in the spring 2017 semester.
“It isn’t always the case that you are invited to apply for a grant of this scale. Mrs. Saxton’s forethought around supporting educational opportunities for kids of the Bath, NY area very nicely aligns with The Rockwell’s artist-in-residence program. We are always eagerly looking for funding to support arts in education – Mrs. Saxton’s support of early childhood education validates our steadfast commitment to using art as a catalyst for important early learning,” says Mary E. Mix, Senior Museum Educator.
Bath Central School District Superintendent Joe Rumsey added, “We are so excited about this collaborative endeavor with the Rockwell Museum. Our staff, parents, and students will all benefit as this learning comes alive through the Rockwell Museum. We are so grateful to the Saxton family and to the Rockwell Museum staff for making this opportunity happen this school year!”
The Great Circle program is an early childhood artist-in-residence that includes four in-classroom visits by local artist Aleta Wynn-Yarrow and one multi-experience visit to The Rockwell. Students explore the overall theme of “The Great Circle: Growing, Moving, and Helping,” which focuses on nature—the seasons, sun, moon, plants, animals and human relationships with natural cycles. These topics complement the New York State Common Core curriculum and encourage students to learn in new ways.
“The Edith Saxton Fund at the Community Foundation has enabled us to support quality programming for Bath Area students in a way we haven’t before. We were thrilled when the School District eagerly accepted our offer to work with students. Inclusion of the arts is fundamental to the success of early learners. Partnering with The Rockwell Museum to deliver high quality arts programming to first graders in Bath was a natural fit based on the history and experience of The Rockwell’s educators. We are excited to watch this partnership grow over the next year,” says Sara Palmer, Director of Grants & Communications of the Community Foundation of the Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc.
Upon the death of the late Bob Saxton, owner of Babcock Ladder Co of Bath NY, a scholarship fund was established with the Community Foundation of the Southern Finger Lakes to support students of the Bath area. Bob’s wife, Edith Saxton, residing in Naples, Florida, has always remained connected to the Bath community. Despite not having children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Saxton avidly supported and took an interest in the lives of young children in the community. Motivated by a sincere interest in seeing young people in the community succeed, Mrs. Saxton continues this philanthropy in the Bath area today.
“We believe in the arts and in collaborative relationships with community partners. The Rockwell is most successful when we partner with area schools, teachers and supporters to provide authentic art experience. The Great Circle Residency is a program that allows Rockwell resources to travel to the classroom in the case bus funding isn’t available for a museum trip,” says Mary Mix.
About The Rockwell Museum
The Rockwell Museum, in association with the Smithsonian Institution, believes in arts in education and is passionate about ensuring that the arts remain a part of student learning. Rockwell educators are at the forefront of art enrichment and working with surrounding school districts that face economic hardships. The Great Circle Residency advances a vision to be an integral and progressive part of the arts by serving surrounding communities and providing enriching experiences for school, family and adult audiences.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2016, The Rockwell is an evolving community center which showcases the best of America through compelling exhibitions and imaginative programs. The diverse collection includes a mix of contemporary American art with traditional bronze sculptures, landscape paintings and other works that embody the American experience. Housed in the beautifully restored 19th century Old City Hall building, The Rockwell is active in the local community and holds special events and educational programming with area public schools. The Rockwell provokes curiosity, engagement and reflection about art and the American experience.
About the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes inspires philanthropy to make lives better. Our grants and scholarships support the people of Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates counties in the Southern Tier of New York State and is a permanent source of charitable funds backed by a wide variety of donors committed to the social and economic health of the Southern Finger Lakes.
