ARCK is hosting its third annual HeART for ART event on May 7th in Boston Common to raise awareness for the importance of arts education in Boston public schools. People can stop by between 12-4pm to paint paper hearts that will later be distributed around Boston. Partner Ben & Jerry's will provide free ice cream for those who donate a painted heart back to ARCK. The event aims to engage the community and demonstrate that art education benefits students' creative and academic development.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
Art Resource Collaborative for Kids, Boston Sara Mraish Demeter, Executive Director
36 Bromfield St. Suite 301, Boston, MA 02108 sarad@arckboston.org
Web: arckboston.org | Twitter: @arckboston (617) 407­0530
ARCK Launches Community Awareness Campaign: HeART for ART
Partner Ben & Jerry’s joins in May 7 event on Boston Common
BOSTON, date — On Saturday, May 7th (right before Mother’s Day!) ARCK is presenting the third annual HeART For ART
in the Boston Common — a much­anticipated campaign to raise awareness of the importance of arts integration for Boston
Public Schools students. From 12­4 pm, ARCK will have tables set up on the Boston Common near Earl of Sandwich. The
event is part of ArtWeek Boston. [make sure to add a link to ArtWeek here]
Bostonians and visitors of all ages are invited to join in an enjoyable and creative Saturday afternoon, stopping by to
participate in painting paper hearts. Our partner Ben & Jerry’s will be there with free ice cream treats for those who craft a
paper heart and donate it back to ARCK. Vita COCO will also provide premium coconut water for people to enjoy on that
day. After the event, ARCK will distribute those paper hearts to local businesses around Boston, spreading love to every
corner of the city. People can discover where their hearts go after the event on the HeART for ART Facebook event page.
“No child should miss out on the opportunities and joys of art education because of the lack of funding or insufficient
resources from the schools.” said Sara Mraish Demeter, ARCK founder and executive director. The HeART for ART
campaign aims to unify Boston community forces to raise awareness of the importance of art education while connecting
people, businesses, and organizations across Boston and beyond. It is an opportunity for community members to step in for
underserved kids when resources have stepped out.
ARCK is incredibly honored to have Ben & Jerry’s as its dedicated partner on the HeART of ART campaign for three
consecutive years. Not only will ice cream be offered at the May 7 event, at Ben and Jerry’s on Newbury Street, proceeds
from the special “HeART for ART Sundae” will benefit ARCK’s STEAM programming. In addition, ARCK amplifies the
local support by partnering with more than 100 local businesses, whose displays of hearts and contributions will also support
continued and expanded work in ARCK’s partner schools.
Art education matters. ARCK believes that art education holds the key to unlock children’s creative and academic
potential.
What: HeART for ART
When: Saturday, May 7, 12­4 pm
Where: On the Boston Common, at ARCK’s tables near Earl of Sandwich
Who: Everyone!
About ARCK
ARCK is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that grew from a 2011­12 pilot “Diversity Thru Art” program at Boston’s Josiah
Quincy Elementary School (JQES). ARCK has brought art education to some 1,000 students in six underserved Boston
Public Schools. In addition to ARCK’s signature program of hands­on visual art integrated with intercultural exchanges and
visual and written literacy, ARCK is developing a comprehensive STEAM curriculum, with lessons aligned with Common
Core and visual art standards and incorporating STEM components. There is a strong and consistent focus on making
connections with students’ lives, communities, and diverse cultures.
One of ARCK’s overarching goals is to engage families and communities in local children’s education and growth. This
public HeART for ART campaign is an opportunity to spread the word about art education beyond schools and students to the
wider community in Boston and beyond.
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