Date: Jan 23, 2009

Hofstra University Museum Receives Gift to Continue Partnership with Local Elementary Schools

JP Morgan Chase Gift to Ensure Museum Education Initiative

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University Museum has received a $40,000 gift from JP Morgan Chase for the second straight year to fund the JP Morgan Chase Art Travelers Through Time: Literacy and History Through Art. This initiative, launched in 2008, allows third graders in local school districts to connect their education in the classroom with art in the Museum.

Third graders from Hempstead, Freeport and Uniondale school districts attend action-packed art adventures that open their eyes to the Museum’s artistic treasures from around the world and at the same time connect their reading, writing and creative thinking skills that are embedded in their literacy, social studies and visual arts curriculum.

“Museums and schools are natural partners,” explained Hofstra University Museum Education Director Nancy Richner. “Over the course of the program, teachers, students and parents become more comfortable using museums, they gain knowledge and understanding about various cultures, and the Hofstra University Museum enhances its understanding of how to better serve those audiences.”

The program allows Museum educators from the Hofstra University Museum to work closely with the school district officials and teachers to create the program’s curriculum. This curriculum introduces third-graders to art museums and art concepts while reinforcing literacy concepts.  Students have a free class trip to the Museum to observe objects from the collection, first-hand. Museum educators, as well, visit the third grade classrooms with educational artistic material.

“JP Morgan Chase Arts Travelers Through Time unlocks the wonders of art museums to hundreds of our area’s children and inspires them by the power, beauty and magnificence of the visual arts,” said Hofstra University Museum Director Beth Levinthal. “We are most grateful to

JP Morgan Chase for providing the funding that brings this program to life for our neighborhood students.”

To date, the program has involved more than 325 students and 20 teachers and administrators. It is expected that the Museum will serve 1,000 third graders and their families from the three districts in April and May of 2009.

The Museum hosts free Sharing Day events to introduce students’ families to the program. For more information on this program and Sharing Day dates call (516) 463-5672 or visit the Hofstra University website at www.hofstra.edu/museum .

Also for the second year in a row, a $5,000 gift from the Bethpage Federal Credit Union will fund the Museum’s Family Art Activity Centers at all Hofstra University festivals. These centers introduce toddlers through adults to the joys and wonders of art and can be found at the annual Irish (March), Dutch (May) and Italian (September) family festivals held on the Hofstra campus.

The Hofstra University Museum has been awarded the highest honor a museum can receive, continued accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM). Approximately 5% of museums nationwide have earned this distinguished recognition. Accreditation certifies that the Hofstra University Museum operates according to professional standards, manages its collections responsibly and provides quality service to the public.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.