Are you interested in bringing this award-winning production to your school? Contact Pamela Weingarden, Sing for Hope's Development Manager & Board Liaison, at [email protected] for more details.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
New York City/New York – Sing for Hope is being funded to create innovative work that will harness the power of the arts to engage audiences and participants of all ages in overcoming COVID-19 and influenza vaccine hesitancy. The CDC Foundation, in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), awarded grants to 30 organizations across the country that will use the arts to educate communities and build vaccine confidence. Sing for Hope joins organizations that span 18 states and include the arts, public health, and higher education sectors.
With support from the CDC Foundation and guidance from health professionals, teachers, and community stakeholders, Sing for Hope will create a two-part theatrical presentation with the aim of inspiring vaccine confidence in youth ages 10-13 in New York City and Westchester County public middle schools. The initial launch will take place at the Amani Public Charter School, one of Sing for Hope’s partner schools, located in Mount Vernon, NY. Scheduling will commence in February 2022.
“We believe in the arts’ remarkable power to inspire, uplift, and unite,” said Sing for Hope Co-Founder Camille Zamora. “As our communities continue to face devastating challenges from the pandemic, Sing for Hope is proud to further our work in this way at such a critical time.”
“Many people have not been vaccinated, despite access to the vaccine. Funding like this gives Sing for Hope an opportunity to bring information directly to students and families to inspire vaccine confidence,” said Sing for Hope Co-Founder Monica Yunus.
“We are excited to bring the arts and science together in a really powerful way with these partnerships,” said Judy Monroe, MD, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation. “Through their chosen art forms, these organizations will be able to create accessible and inspiring work that communicates essential health information about the safety and importance of vaccination in protecting communities from COVID-19 and influenza.”
Funding for this effort is made possible through a subaward from the CDC Foundation and is part of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) financial assistance award totaling $2,500,000.00 with 100 percent funding from CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government.
ABOUT SING FOR HOPE
Sing for Hope harnesses the power of the arts to create a better world. Our creative programs bring arts-based hope, healing, and connection to millions of people in hospitals, schools, refugee camps, transit hubs, and public spaces worldwide. Founded in New York City in 2006, Sing for Hope partners with hundreds of community-based organizations, mobilizes thousands of artists in creative service, and produces artist-created Sing for Hope Pianos across the US and around the world. We champion art for all because we believe the arts have an unmatched capacity to uplift, unite, and heal. Learn more at singforhope.org
Media Contact: Richard Robertson
212-966-5955, [email protected]
Photo Caption: Since the start of the pandemic, artists and cultural organizations have been key messengers in building vaccine confidence. Sing for Hope has been on the frontlines of this effort, producing over 125 consecutive daily concerts at Javits Center Vaccination Site and reaching an estimated 270,000 community members (pictured: Victoria Paterson, violin; Hiroko Taguchi, violin; Clara Warnaar, cajón; Peter Sachon, cello; Philip Payton, viola).
