Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: KID smART
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 2533 Columbus Street
City: New Orleans
State: LA
Postal Code: 70119
Main Phone: 5049401994
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.kidsmart.org
Employer ID Number: 72-1437353
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 01/15/2026
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: KID smART Summer Camps: Literacy and STEAM
Project Description:

KID smART will launch two innovative summer camps in summer 2026 that address critical learning gaps for K-8 students in New Orleans: Wordplay! (literacy-focused) and STEAMY (STEAM-focused). Both camps use arts integration to make learning joyful, engaging, and effective for students who experience significant summer learning loss.

Wordplay! Literacy Camp uses theatre, storytelling, creative writing, and performance to build reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing skills, and oral communication. Students explore diverse texts, create original stories and monologues, and perform for families. Through drama games, character development, and collaborative writing, students strengthen literacy skills while discovering the power of their own voices.

STEAMY Camp integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math through hands-on creative projects. Students explore scientific concepts through visual arts, build engineering solutions using creative problem-solving, and discover mathematical patterns in music and movement. Digital media, sculpture, and performance become vehicles for understanding STEM concepts, making abstract ideas concrete and accessible.

Both camps serve 60 students total (30 per camp) for one week each in summer 2026. We use a sliding-scale tuition model ensuring accessibility for families regardless of income. Many participants come from under-resourced schools where summer programming is limited or nonexistent.

Our approach is grounded in 26 years of experience delivering arts-integrated education in New Orleans public schools. We know that arts integration works: it increases engagement, deepens understanding, and makes learning culturally responsive and joyful. Our teaching artists are experienced educators trained in our proven AXIS framework, which seamlessly integrates arts across academic content.

This $10,000 grant will fund teaching artist salaries, art supplies and materials, snacks, and program coordination for both camps. Upon completion, we will provide a comprehensive evaluation report including student attendance, family feedback, student work samples, and teaching artist reflections.

KID smART summer camps demonstrate that learning can be rigorous, joyful, and transformative when creativity is at the center.

Total Project Budget: 75,000

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): NewSchools, United Way, Individuals

Project Duration: June – August 2026
Geographical Area Served: Greater New Orleans area
Age Group To Be Served: K-8

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Bridget
Contact Last Name: Nolan
Contact Title: Managing Director of Institutional Fundraising
Contact Phone: 504-435-0370
Contact Email: bridget@kidsmart.org