Chandler Cultural Foundation Gila River Indian Community Grant Briefing

Tribal Gaming Community Application Briefing
Non-Profit Submission
Tribal Gaming Community Applying To:
Gila River Indian Community
Name of the Non-profit Organization
Chandler Cultural Foundation
Does the Non-profit Organization have IRS Tax-Exempt Status?
Yes
Contact Information
Sandra Bassett
sandra.bassett@chandleraz.gov
(480) 782-2659
Application Priority Areas
Cultural & Environmental Development and Protection, Education
Title of the Project
Connecting Kids
Amount Intended to Request
$20,000
Purpose of the Grant
The Chandler Cultural Foundation will respectfully request 20,000 to support our
Connecting Kids Initiative, which provides immersive, hands-on arts education
opportunities to youth ages 6-17, including field trips to matinee performances, visual
arts workshops, intensive theatre camps, and a youth arts leadership program.
Project Summary
Connecting Kids offers a diverse range of arts experiences through four key programs.
Theatre Kids provides field trips to five interactive STEAM-aligned shows between
October and May. Each experience is enhanced with study guides and post-show
talkbacks. Participation is free for Title I students, and we provide bus transportation
with our partner Act One. Youth Arts Council is a free arts administration and leadership
training program running from September to March.
Funding would go towards paying teaching artists, camp instructors, and performing
artists, whose expertise and creative leadership are vital to Connecting Kids continued
success.
Over the course of 12 sessions, 15 rising teen leaders learn about essential leadership
and management topics from local community members and organizations. Vision Kids
offers free visual arts classes, family festivals, in-classroom workshops, and art gallery

field trips. Classes are offered year-round every Saturday with all art materials provided
free of charge.
Camp Kids provides immersive performing arts camps led by skilled arts instructors.
Five camps will be offered during the summer and school breaks. We offer scholarships
for low-income students. In addition, we recently expanded Connecting Kids by
integrating our Artist-in-Residence program. Through this initiative, we provide in-school
workshops and educational events led by professional artists who are developing their
work through our multi-year artist residences. These activities provide students with
direct learning experiences and an inside look into the creative development process.
According to the Arizona Commission on the Arts, disparities in access to arts education
disproportionately affect students in Title I schools and low-income communities. The
Arizona Department of Education reports that arts integration enhances academic
performance, critical thinking, and social-emotional development, yet many underfunded
schools struggle to maintain consistent programming.
Our objectives include increasing key cognitive and social skills (e.g., critical thinking,
collaboration, and social-emotional learning), boosting self-esteem, and fostering an
appreciation and understanding of the arts. By offering hands-on experiences in visual
arts, music, theater, and digital media, Connecting Kids fosters creativity, problem-
solving, and cultural appreciation, ensuring that our youth receive a well-rounded
education that aligns with Arizona’s academic standards.
Impact on the City of Chandler
Each year, Connecting Kids reaches over 4,000 K-12 students and we prioritize
outreach to Title I schools, ensuring that all students regardless of socioeconomic
background have access to high-quality arts experiences that inspire creativity, develop
essential life skills, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Address of Non-profit Organization the City of Chandler will Send the Tribal
Community Grant Payment:
Chandler Cultural Foundation
250 N Arizona Ave
Chandler, Arizona. 85225
Contact Name for Receipt of Payment Name
Sandra Bassett