Source: Martha Scott, 785-532-7718, marthas@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.beach.k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Andrew North, 785-532-7718, anorth@k-state.edu

Thursday, May 27, 2010

GIFTS TO PROVIDE LOCAL SCHOOLS TRANSPORTATION FUNDING TO K-STATE'S BEACH MUSEUM OF ART

MANHATTAN -- Gifts from the Manhattan-Odgen Public Schools Foundation and the Gallery for Peace and Justice will help the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art at Kansas State University provide bus scholarships to Manhattan schools for field trips.

The foundation donated $500 to the museum from the Early Expressions art fundraiser. The Gallery for Peace and Justice, a local charitable organization that supports humanitarian service and the arts, has added $300 to the fund.

"The museum provides tours for more than 2,500 children each year, with annual programs for grades K-6. In the past, we have been able to provide bus money to most schools through grants, which are fewer and harder to get due to the economy," said Kathrine Schlageck, Beach Museum of Art senior educator. "These gifts will help us to continue our educational mission and the strong partnership we have with USD 383 schools."

"One of our goals is to support art education in our local community," said Cindy Burr, director of the Gallery for Peace and Justice. "We are impressed with the Beach's creative, energetic, hands-on approach with students of all ages and wanted to help with a major cost of this important art education program."

Area teachers will be contacted at the beginning of the school year with information about tours and bus funds, Schlageck said.

More information is available by contacting Martha Scott at the Beach Museum of Art, 785-532-7718, or dropping by the museum on the southeast corner of the K-State campus at 14th Street and Anderson Avenue. Free visitor parking is available next to the building. Normal museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The museum is closed Mondays.