Central Coast group funds new arts opportunities for local children
Applications for scholarships available online
– Reprise Foundation for the Arts has launched the Start in the Arts program, offering scholarships to children in San Luis Obispo County for their first formal arts, music, and creative experiences. The program is funded through a grant from Central Coast Funds for Children.
“Our community offers a great variety of child and family-centered arts, movement, and music programs. But registration fees can be a burden for some families, delaying exposure to these enriching early childhood experiences,” said Alexis Lewis, vice president of Reprise Foundation for the Arts. “With Start in the Arts, we hope to help families comfortably try something new, while connecting them with San Luis Obispo County’s strong community of artists and musicians.”
The Start in the Arts program is open to children under 19 years old who are registering for classes, camps, or ongoing private lessons in art, theater, music, or other creative disciplines. Applications for scholarships are available on the foundation’s website at RepriseFoundation.org.
Reprise Foundation for the Arts, a nonprofit organization, was established in 2023 with the mission of making music and arts accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or other barriers. The foundation provides additional scholarship programs, including a quarterly arts scholarship for students of any age in any medium and the Shirley McNamara Memorial Arts Scholarship for high school seniors pursuing the arts after graduation. It also offers a Business Support Fund to help local businesses start or grow arts programs.
“It is our goal to provide access to meaningful music and arts experiences while building connections that form a stronger community,” Lewis said. “Art and music can connect people of all ages and backgrounds, and we want Reprise to be the spark that ignites creativity and connection in San Luis Obispo County.”
Donations to support Reprise Foundation for the Arts can be made on their website.
Central Coast Funds for Children, the grant provider for the Start in the Arts program, has a 30-year history of supporting local child-centered organizations in San Luis Obispo County. The volunteer-led organization has provided over $2 million in funding to date. More information about their programs is available at centralcoastfundsforchildren.org.
