Dear AFIA Community,

We have an exciting announcement. We are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with City in Motion to offer dance scholarships for our AFIA students.

City in Motion is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven, 501(c)(3) organization with the mission, “to foster the development of high quality contemporary dance programming and expand the dance audience in the Kansas City metropolitan region.” City in Motion is partnering with us to provide scholarships, further their mission, and to promote “Dance for everyBODY.”

At AFIA, a PK – 6th grade school, the arts serve as a catalyst for learning, achievement, curiosity, and self-esteem. Students create and actively express a deeper meaning of subject matter content through the use of visual arts, music, dance, and dramatization. Students are given many opportunities to explore the arts during the school day, but formal dance instruction is not currently offered. With over 90% of our students eligible for free or reduced lunch, opportunities to pursue dance outside of school are limited for many families.

Through this partnership with City in Motion, students will be able to apply for a scholarship to take classes at City in Motion and attend performances for the spring semester, starting January 2017. City in the Motion is spreading the word about our partnership and raising funds on #GivingTuesday in a social media campaign called #GivingDanceDay on November 29, 2016. We are asking our community and supporters spread the word. Even $5 can make a difference.

Last year, more than 45,000 organizations in 71 countries came together to celebrate #GivingTuesday. Since its founding in 2012, #GivingTuesday has inspired giving around the world, resulting in greater donations, volunteer hours, and activities that bring about real change in communities. We invite you to join the movement and support #GivingDanceDay this
November 29. Some ideas include:

1. Like City in Motion and Academy for Integrated Arts on Facebook and follow our #GivingDanceDay
progress.
2. Help spread the word about #GivingDanceDay by sharing this blog post or sharing our Facebook posts on #GivingTuesday.
3. Use the hashtag #GivingTuesday to talk about charity and the causes and organizations you support.
4. Make a gift of $15, $30, $60, $100, or $200 to support a single class, or semester of classes for an AFIA scholarship student on #GivingDanceDay.

There are many ways to get involved on #GivingDanceDay, November 29, 2016. We encourage you to join the movement and visit http://www.givingtuesday.org to learn more about how you can make a difference.

Thanks,
Annie Heitman                                                                                                    Tricia DeGraff
School Director                                                                                                    Executive Director

City in Motion Dance Theater, Inc.                                                                  Academy for Integrated Arts
3925 Main Street                                                                                                  7910 Troost
Kansas City, Missouri 64111                                                                               Kansas City, MO 64131
(816) 561-2882                                                                                                      (816) 444-1720