Burbank Arts For All Foundation awards Burbank Unified with nearly $40K in grants

The Burbank Arts For All Foundation made two donations totaling roughly $38,500 to Burbank Unified Thursday to help fund various arts programs in Burbank schools.

Trena Pitchford, the foundation’s executive director, first presented a $28,509 check to school board members to fulfill dozens of grant requests to support arts programs at all grade levels.

Some of the funded programs include a pilot program to introduce students to African dance movement and drums, an artist residency program for theater, dance and music productions, revival of a musical theater program at Burbank High School, a new kiln and a collaboration between marine biology and engineering classes in which students will design and construct remote-controlled vehicles, Pitchford said.

There will also be an arts wheel program at one of the elementary schools in the district, in which students will participate in different artistic disciplines, such as music and visual art, Pitchford said.

“Since the beginning of our partnership 11 years ago, the Burbank Arts For All Foundation is delighted to continue our commitment to support a quality program of all art forms for Burbank Unified kids,” Pitchford said.

Shortly later, Pitchford gave Burbank Unified a $10,000 grant to support the school district’s “Music is Instrumental” campaign, in which the district plans to repair or replace about $1.2 million worth of instruments at local middle and high schools.

Through the 11 years that the organization has been helping the school district, the Burbank Arts For All Foundation has given $467,718 to Burbank schools through 277 grants, Pitchford said.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio