FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fund for the Arts Contact:
Eric Gurevich
ericg@fundforthearts.org
502.582.0132
Delta Dental of Kentucky Contact:
Tamara Davis
502-814-5028 (p)
270-202-8516 (m)
tdavis@bch.com
Delta Dental of Kentucky Expands Arts in Education Across Kentucky
Delta Dental Making Smiles Happen® Arts in Education Initiative to Improve Oral Health at 102 Schools Statewide
LOUISVILLE, KY, MARCH 14, 2018–The oral health of thousands of Kentucky students will help be improved this year, thanks to an expanded program from Fund for the Arts and Delta Dental of Kentucky. The Delta Dental Making Smiles Happen® Arts in Education Initiative launches for a third year, after two successful years that previously created 42,249 enriching arts experiences in 43 Kentucky counties. This year, the initiative expands statewide with a strong emphasis on leveraging the arts to improve oral health to 102 schools, impacting nearly 24,690 students.
“As a not-for-profit company, Delta Dental is thrilled to continue our partnership with Fund for the Arts for a third year,” said Jude Thompson, Delta Dental of Kentucky CEO. “We believe that the arts are a viable and essential tool to improve the overall health of Kentucky kids.”
When it comes to improving oral health, the arts play a unique role. Two key determinants of health are a lack of oral health information and an individual’s level of education. The Delta Dental Making Smiles Happen® Arts in Education Initiative addresses both of these determinants by reaching thousands of students across the Commonwealth, increasing access to the arts and oral health education. Each of these programs is connected to the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s core education content and complement what students are learning in classrooms.
“Thanks to the vision and support of Delta Dental of Kentucky, we’re bringing transformative arts experiences to students in every corner of Kentucky,” said Christen Boone, Fund for the Arts President and CEO. “More than 90% of teachers participating in the first two years agree that these grants help their students think critically, solve complex problems, and master academic standards.”
List of Schools Impacted:
- Athens-Chilesburg Elementary
- Bardstown Elementary School
- Bell Central School Center
- Bell County High School
- Black Mountain Elementary
- Bonnieville Elementary School
- Bryan Station Middle School
- Central Hardin High School
- Central High School
- Cold Hill Elementary School
- Corbin Elementary School
- Corbin High School
- Corbin Intermediate School
- Corbin Middle School
- Corbin Primary School
- Corpus Christi Classical Academy
- Crittenden Mt. Zion Elementary
- Cub Run Elementary
- Dewitt Elementary
- Doss High School
- Earlington Elementary
- Edmonson County High School
- Elliott County High School
- Engelhard Elementary
- Estill County High School
- Estill County Middle School
- Evarts Elementary School
- Flat Gap Elementary
- Frakes School Center
- Franklin-Simpson High School
- Greenwood High School
- Harlan County High School
- Hawthorne Elementary School
- Hazard High School
- Highland Elementary School
- Hindman Elementary School
- Hogsett Elementary School
- Jackson County Middle School
- Jeffersontown High School
- Jennie Rogers Elementary School
- Jesse D. Lay Elementary
- Joe Harrison Carter Elementary
- Johnsontown Road Elementary
- Junction City Elementary
- Kimper Elementary
- Lassiter Middle School
- LeGrande Elementary School
- Leslie County High School
- Letcher Elementary School
- Lincoln County High School
- Lone Jack School Center
- Louisville Male High School
- Mapleton Elementary
- Marie Roberts-Caney
- Mary Carrico Catholic School
- McLean County Middle School
- Memorial Elementary
- Metcalfe County Elementary School
- Metcalfe County Middle School
- Middlesboro High School
- Monroe County Middle School
- Mount Washington Elementary School
- Vernon Elementary
- Newport Intermediate School
- North Calloway Elementary
- North Hancock Elementary School
- Oak Grove Elementary
- Page School Center
- Perry County Central
- Pikeville High School
- Pineville Independent
- Raceland-Worthington High School
- Ramsey Middle School
- Right Fork School Center
- Robertson Co School
- Rosspoint Elementary and Middle School
- Russell County Schools
- Russell Springs Elementary
- Sand Gap Elementary
- Sebree Elementary
- Second Street School
- Seneca High School
- Shelby County High School
- Simpsonville Elementary School
- Slaughter Elementary
- Somerset High School
- South Todd Elementary School
- Francis of Assisi Catholic School
- Joseph School
- Matthews Elementary
- Taylor County High School
- Toliver Elementary School
- Tompkinsville Elementary School
- Tyner Elementary School
- Warfield Elementary School
- Warren East High School
- Watson Lane Elementary
- Wayne County Middle School
- West Broadway Elementary School
- West Point Independent School
- WR Castle Elementary
- Yellow Creek School Center
About Fund for The Arts
Fund for the Arts is a regional nonprofit with the mission to maximize the arts to drive economic development, education, and quality of life in our community. The Fund conducts one of the oldest united arts campaigns in the country and supports world-class institutions, community organizations and arts in education. Fund for the Arts leads collective action across the arts and cultural sector to deliver greater impact in our community. For more information, visit www.fundforthearts.org.
About Delta Dental of Kentucky and Making Smiles Happen®
Delta Dental of Kentucky is a not-for-profit company that is committed to bright smiles and healthy lifestyles for its 700,000 enrollees and the communities we serve. Delta Dental of Kentucky is part of a family of companies that collectively are among the largest, most experienced dental plan administrators in the nation. Our network of providers gives our customers access to high-quality, affordable dental care.
Making Smiles Happen® is Delta Dental of Kentucky’s promise to serve our communities and residents one smile at a time. Aimed with the task of promoting oral health to the citizens of Kentucky, this initiative supports many non-profit partners. Giving back is a core component of our culture at Delta Dental, and Making Smiles Happen enables this support to be given to organizations that champion a better quality of life for citizens throughout our Commonwealth.
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