By Megan Strawther, Development & Communications Associate
This past Tuesday, the P.S. ARTS program at Walgrove Elementary School had the opportunity to host Tommy Hilfiger and celebrate the recent launch of a unique inclusive arts education curriculum that The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation is helping fund.
The Tommy Hilfiger–P.S. ARTS partnership was cemented last school year when our organization launched two unique programs at Walgrove Elementary and Grand View Elementary to help students with special needs achieve their full potential alongside their typically developing peers. Our inclusive arts education program was especially meaningful to The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation, who focuses on providing better education for children globally, especially those with special needs and autism.
“Autism awareness and education is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart, and an issue that affects my family.” said Tommy Hilfiger. “I am very proud to launch this partnership with P.S. ARTS, and I hope that with its unique focus on bringing all children together for arts education, the program will pave the way for similar programs in the Los Angeles area and across the country.”
On Tuesday, Mr. Hilfiger and the president of The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation, Guy Vickers, had the chance to meet with P.S. ARTS Teaching Artists, the executive board, our administrative staff, the Walgrove school principal, and to observe our art programs in action! It was a very exciting morning for all involved, and our team is excited for the potential of this partnership and what it means for the students we serve, especially those with special needs who now have the opportunity to experience arts education alongside their peers.
Check out the press release featured in the Wall Street Journal on Mr. Hilfiger’s visit to the P.S. ARTS program at Walgrove Elementary.
On behalf of the students we serve, our warmest thanks to Mr. Hilfiger and the Foundation for their generous support!
