Young Audiences Charter School Principal Receives Grant to Champion Creativity in Schools

Folwell Dunar is one of 20 elementary and middle school principals from across the nation who has been selected by Crayola and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) to receive a “Champion Creatively Alive Children” school grant. Dunbar is the School Leader at Young Audiences Charter School in Gretna, Louisiana. Crayola and NAESP together selected 20 schools to receive the grants, which will fund innovative programs aimed at fostering children’s critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills.  

The Champion Creatively Alive Children grants are intended to help schools build creative capacity, nurture children’s creativity and inspire other schools to do the same. Young Audiences Charter School received a $2,500 monetary grant and $1,000 worth of Crayola products. Dunbar will share outcomes from their program via NAESP’s website and a special Principal Magazine Supplement to help other principals develop promising practices related to arts education.

“Crayola believes that for students to reach their full potential and grow into self-motivated learners, their creativity and critical thinking skills must be nurtured. We believe children develop these 21st century skills when educators ignite their imaginations through art infused education,” said Mike Perry, Crayola president and chief executive officer.

The Champion Creatively Alive Children grant program asks principals to explore a “what if…” learning opportunity. For example, what if arts-infused learning thrived every day in schools? What if schools relied more on project-based authentic assessment rather than standardized tests? What if parents and schools found ways to document and articulate the value of creative experiences? The entries were judged on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability.  

“Principals understand the value of using arts-infused education to ignite deep learning for all students,” said NAESP Executive Director Gail Connelly. “We’re proud to work with Crayola and the Champion Creatively Alive Children grant program to provide schools with this unique opportunity for resources to enhance students' creativity and success.”  

To view the complete list of the 20 Champion Creatively Alive Children grant recipients, visit www.naesp.org/creativity.


About Crayola:
Crayola believes in honoring and nurturing the colorful originality in every child. Serving as advocates for increased art-infused education, their products and programs help children acquire critical 21st century skills. Together with educators, Crayola champions creatively alive children. For more information, and free professional development resources, visit www.crayola.com/educator  

About the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP):
Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) leads in the advocacy and support for elementary and middle school principals in the United States and internationally. NAESP supports principals as the primary catalysts for creating lasting foundations for learning through policy and professional development, advocacy, programs, and resources for effective instructional leadership. NAESP advances the profession on behalf of all principals, providing specialized support and mentoring for early career principals. Key focus areas including pre-K-3 education, school safety, technology and digital learning, and capacity-building educator evaluation. For more information about NAESP, please visit www.naesp.org.

About Young Audiences Charter School:
Young Audiences Charter School at Kate Middleton is an open enrollment, arts-integrated charter school. It opened in 2013 with over 400 students in grades K-3. For the 2014-15 school year, enrollment is open to any Jefferson Parish student entering Kindergarten through 4th grade. Each following academic year, the school will add one grade to serve students in grades K-8 by Fall 2018.