$10K Grant Will Support Jacob Burns' Educational Programs

A $10,000 grant will help Pleasantville's Jacob Burns Film Center continue to offer its Visual Literacy Education Programs to thousands of Westchester County students each year.

"These programs engage approximately 14,000 students in grades pre-K — 12 from Westchester County at the JBFC’s Media Arts Lab in Pleasantville and through partnerships with at least 65 schools and youth service organizations," according to a statement.

Emily Keating, education director at JBFC, explained, "Our education programs help students sharpen their critical thinking skills, expand their technical facility and strengthen their ability to communicate using digital media."

The grant comes from First Niagara Bank's First Niagara Foundation, a non-profit organizations that looks to support communities, often through youth and education means.

"First Niagara is proud to contribute to programs that facilitate 21st century learning, particularly for students that might not have access to these exciting educational opportunities," said Cathie Schaffer, First Niagara's tri-state regional president.

According to the statement, the program funded by this grant "will include hands on-learning opportunities focused on video creation, animation, documentary filmmaking and digital storytelling as well as screening programs for local high schools and professional development workshops for teachers. Programs will take place year round, including in-school, afterschool and during the summer."