Caliente Sponsoring ‘Art is Smart’

Festival Fete, an art festival production company based out of Rhode Island, looks to raise funds for Art is Smart by collaborating with local restaurant, Caliente on the University of Rhode Island Kingston Campus.

Art Is Smart looks to serve children by raising funds to support public education art programs by directing 100 percent of corporate and individual donations to public school art teachers who request funding. 

Between April 25 and May 2, will be collecting donations to support this noteworthy cause. As a part of this fundraising event, Caliente will be offering free combo meals with every AIS donation.

Reaching out to students and community members, Art is Smart hopes to gain awareness and attention to the importance of art programs by adding a splash of color to the small restaurant and letting art take over, with painted windows and art-inspired uniforms.

All of the proceeds from sales and direct donations will go toward funding for Public Education Art Programs. As founder of Festival Fete, Jennifer Neuguth said, “Art is Smart is an organization born out of a pure passion for the arts.”

Art is Smart has so far been able to make three donations to Public School art programs in Rhode Island.

• Art supplies for the Brown Avenue School and the Thornton School in Johnston
• A hallway art installation and art supplies for the Times Squared Academy in Providence
• Clay supplies for Middle School in Johnston

Marking the first major fundraising event for Art is Smart, they hope to continue to donate to more schools.

“This is such a great thing for art teachers in the state, as we seem to be a more dwindling breed year and year .... We need every resource and every connection possible within the community to make art possible and more importantly -- you all made this wish a reality -- thanks so much,” said Michael DiMucci, an art teacher at the Times Squared Academy.

In addition, Art is Smart raises funds through their online website, www.artissmart.com, and hopes to continue to reach out through other events later on this year.

Release courtesy of Caliente and Festival Fete.

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