SILICON VALLEY, CA: Since the 1970s school art and music programs across the United States have been drastically cut and the recent downturn in the economy has once again forced the schools to make further cuts in the art and music curriculum. The STEM to STEAM is an initiative to add Art and Design to the national agenda of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education and research in America. The goal is to foster the true innovation that comes with combining the mind of a scientist or technologist with that of an artist or designer. (House resolution 51).
Induz, a Bay Area non-profit, is collectively working towards addressing this problem. Induz believes that every child deserves a comprehensive education that includes global learning and the arts!
Research has shown that 3 out of 4 children in low-income households have no access to any form of art education. Also, students who study art are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.
Induz has been providing multi-cultural arts and global educational program, Passport to World Art to low-income schools across San Francisco Bay area. While the program benefits all children, Induz focuses on the population, which deserves the most, the low-income and high-risk children in US.
A research study showed that, a student from a low-socioeconomic background with a high-arts educational experience significantly outperformed peers from low-arts, low-socioeconomic status, closing (and in some cases eliminating) the gap that often appears between low- socioeconomic background students and their more advantaged peers.
The Passport to World Arts program received the After School Champion award in 2013 from the Santa Clara After School Collaborative and YMCA.
Induz’s global initiatives include Project Tulikain India and Project Sanaa in West Kenya.
Project Tulika helps improve the lives of underprivileged children by nurturing their artistic talents and providing them with the means and opportunity to practice art. The program is offered to children at orphanages in India, where children are provided with proper tools and instruction to learn art forms such as music, dance, drawing, and painting. Project Sanaa provides creative arts, music and dance classes to underprivileged children in the rural community in western Kenya, to create awareness on high infant and maternal mortality.
Induz founders Ray and Piya Mitra received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2014 for promoting art and culture and making a positive impact in the society. A congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama stated, “Your volunteer service demonstrate the kind of commitment to your community that moves America a step closer to its great promise”.
Exciting fundraiser evening
Induz organizes annual events in the Bay Area to raise funds for these projects. To continue with these efforts, Induz is organizing an exciting “InduzLaser Dandiya 2014” fundraiser evening on October 18 at Centerville Junior High School in Fremont, to raise funds for projects to sustain and expand these programs.
InduzDandiya was a sold out event last year, and Induz brings it again this year featuring Dandiya with a spectacular laser lights display – the only Dandiya event across all of USA, that prides itself of the unique laser showcase. A popular Bay Area DholBaaje band will be providing traditional Dandiya and Garba live music.
“Dandiya” is a traditional folk dance of India from Gujarat state. It is played with two sticks and is a very gracious and energetic dance, which has its own form of style and art to it. Ray Mitra said, “Art – all art, be it music, dance, painting or any other form – is a medium for bringing diverse cultures and communities together. That’s our vision. We see the point of “connection” as being Where Art Meets Heart. If we can accomplish that for our children then the world of their future will be a peaceful and happy place.”
Visit www.induz.org for more details
India Post News Service
