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Last year, the number of schools receiving creative learning experiences through the Arts Access Initiative grew to 25 from 11 the previous year. That number has now grown to 44 schools.

AAI representatives from nearly all of the participating schools came together in June for a Meet and Greet, where they learned more about the opportunities available to them through some 40 partner arts organizations. The group was welcomed by AAI Director Deborah Lugo. Remarks were made by HISD’s new fine arts director, Wenden Sanders. 

“I am very excited to be working with the Arts Access Initiative to provide fine arts access to students of HISD,” Sanders said. “The arts organizations are committed to impacting our students in meaningful ways and to providing high quality arts programming. I believe strongly in the power of arts programming to help produce well-rounded HISD global graduates.”

Since the AAI was founded in September 2013, thousands of HISD students have benefited from arts programing, thanks to the arts organizations who provided artist residencies, field trips, in-school performances and workshops, and after-school programs.

The collective vision of the AAI is that every student in HISD have the opportunity to benefit cognitively, creatively, emotionally, and academically through the arts.