At The Anderson Center for the Arts, we stand as a beacon of hope in an arts desert. As the sole cultural arts organization in unincorporated East Harris County, we take immense pride in our dedication to arts education. Welcoming area schools on field trips to explore our current exhibitions and engage with our knowledgeable staff is just one facet of our commitment. Additionally, we are thrilled to collaborate with Rhodes School for the Performing Arts for an enriching Afterschool Arts Program. Key programs include African American stepping led by Chris Sherrard and visual arts led by our Artist-In-Residence, WROSIV. Texas Commission of the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts reports the positive impact that arts education has on overall student achievement. Students who receive a well-rounded education that includes exposure to the arts have higher confidence, exhibit greater levels of empathy and have skills that are applicable to today’s workforce. To learn more about the transformative power of arts education please visit this link. This season we chose to highlight a visual and performing art program. Students in the visual arts program have the ability to hone their skills in self expression and storytelling in a unique way. Stepping is a rich tradition that expands throughout the African Diaspora, with its origins often being referenced to South African Gumboot Dancing. Additionally, students who learn stepping become more knowledgeable of the call and response and polyrhythmic percussions of our culture. We are thankful for the support from Texas Women for the Arts and we look forward to expanding our reach in the upcoming seasons.