Genesis Inspiration Foundation Aids Arts Education through Generous Financial Support of ESP Boston

Thanks to the support from the Genesis Inspiration Foundation, ESP Boston can continue bringing arts education to more students. L-R: Rosie Castillo (Genesis) Jane Farrington (ESP), Cherisa Pelle (Genesis Inspiration Foundation), Rusty Clifford (Genesis of Framingham), ESP Executive Director Emily Pierce, Jonathan Buck (Genesis of Arlington), ESP members Alicia Erickson, Sarah Wharton and Frances Blair

This summer, ESP was the proud recipient of a generous donation from the Genesis Inspiration Foundation, honoring our work connecting under-resourced student communities to the transformative power of the arts. On October 2nd, the ESP team welcomed Genesis representatives to the Hurley School for a check presentation and to observe one of our long-time partnerships in action. Five years ago, ESP founded a partnership with the Community Music Center of Boston to bring bilingual music instruction to the Hurley Dual-Language School. Today, this partnership includes weekly music programming for grades K1-8 as well as an afterschool chorus. A big thank you to Hurley Principal Bethy Verano, CMCB teacher Mark Perez, and the rock star first graders who demonstrated their musical skills and shared their infectious enthusiasm during the Genesis visit!

Fantastic First Graders with their amazing Music Instructor, Mr. Mark from CMCB

ESP began with a primary focus of expanding arts access to underserved students and this year we are proud to be managing ten in-school arts partnerships to meet the diverse needs of three school communities. From painting, theater and dance to orchestra, chorus and music therapy, our partnerships support creativity, build community and nurture social-emotional learning. Thanks to major supporters like the Genesis Inspiration Foundation, we can continue building capacity for arts partnerships in Boston's public schools.