California Shakespeare Theater announced today that it has received a $20,000 grant from Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support the Theater’s Artistic Learning efforts in bringing arts education into underserved schools through a comprehensive program of classroom residencies and student matinee performances at the Bruns Amphitheater.

“We are extremely grateful to Bank of America Foundation for providing this much-needed support for our Artistic Learning program,” commented Managing Director Susie Falk. “Arts education has been almost entirely eliminated from state budgets, but thanks to institutions like Bank of America, Cal Shakes is able to go into schools throughout the Bay Area and begin to fill some of the gaps in arts-based learning.”

Cal Shakes’ in-school residencies partner classroom teachers with teaching artists to more deeply engage students in core curriculum subjects such as English and History, using arts-based approaches that support state-mandated curriculum and teacher professional development. The Student Discovery Matinee Series offers an opportunity for students to experience one of Cal Shakes’ Main Stage productions in a contextualized experience designed for young audiences. The program includes an informative Teacher’s Guide, a lively pre-performance interactive engagement at the Theater, and a post-show question-and answer-session with the actors. In 2010, Cal Shakes served 1,038 low-income students in 40 classrooms throughout the Bay Area through its in-school residencies, while 1,702 low-income students attended student matinees of the world-premiere production of John Steinbeck’s The Pastures of Heaven or the critically-acclaimed Much Ado About Nothing.

Bank of America and its associates invest resources and volunteer time to the communities in which they live and work. Each year, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation invests $200 million in communities across its global footprint to help set opportunity in motion for diverse individuals and families. By partnering with local community leaders, Bank of America identifies priorities in each market it serves and determines how its charitable investments can have the greatest and most positive impact in those neighborhoods.

Click here to read more about Cal Shakes’ Artistic Learning programs.