Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: West Palm Beach Center for Arts & Technology
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: the WestPalmCAT
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3952
City: West Palm Beach
State: Florida
Postal Code: 33402
Main Phone: 561-632-8122
Main Fax: N/A
Organization Website: wpbcat.org
Employer ID Number: 84-2128291
Organization Tax Status: 501(C)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/18/2021
Requested Amount: 5,000

Project Title: Youth Arts Program
Project Description:

The WestPalmCAT offers arts education to historically underserved high school students as a path towards graduation and a better economic future. Students in grades 9 -12 are recruited from underperforming schools in West Palm Beach.

Adolescents learn critical thinking & problem solving through mentor-led arts education, a proven strategy to move students toward graduation & post-secondary learning. The visual/digital art classes are delivered at no charge by teacher/mentors who are professionals in the field.

This program, modeled after the Manchester Bidwell Center with a 50-year track record of success, paves the way for these students to graduate from high school & choose a path towards a career, be it post-secondary education or a job-training program. The Manchester Bidwell Educational Model has been replicated in 12 centers worldwide (11 across the US, 1 in Israel). The WestPalmCAT’s Youth Arts program does not focus on creating artists —but rather opens the minds of students to the possibility of fuller, richer life. Art is a tool used to connect with students.

The program provides after school programing for up to 30 students who attend underserved/under resourced public high school(s). We partner with public high schools to recruit those who are engaging in risky behaviors and/or associated with negative peer groups, are unsupervised between the hours of 2 & 6 PM, have high absenteeism rates, and struggle academically.

Through arts mentorship, students have opportunities to participate in applied learning activities that stress higher order critical thinking & problem-solving skills and to showcase their abilities to the community. Short term objectives are to increase school attendance, to increase academic achievement and lessen incidents of behavior that results in suspensions. The overarching goal of the program is for students to graduate on time with their class and have plans for post-secondary education or employment.

Total Project Budget: 260,499

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Quantum Foundation – $30,000 Community Foundation for Palm Beach – $55,000 Publix $5,000 Jim Moran Foundation $50,000

Project Duration: 12 months – on-going
Geographical Area Served: Palm Beach County
Age Group To Be Served: High school students ages 14-18.

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: PJ
Contact Last Name: Layng
Contact Title: Interim Executive Director
Contact Phone: (561) 632-8122
Contact Email: pj@pjlassociates.com