Editor

The Creative Coalition announces the formation of the Arts Corps, a volunteer program that marshals leadership from the arts and entertainment arenas to help save arts funding in the public school systems. This all-volunteer brigade will work with school boards, policy makers, parents, and other community leaders to encourage support for the arts in state educational budgets.

The "inaugural" class of the Arts Corps includes actor and President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly, and actors Omar Epps, Marlon Wayans, David Arquette, Patricia Arquette, Alfre Woodard, Steven Weber, Andrea Bowen, CCH Pounder, Esai Morales, Rob Morrow, Griffin Dunne, Giancarlo Esposito, Richard Kind, Richard Schiff, Rachael Leigh Cook, Tichina Arnold, Harry Hamlin, and KayCee Stroh. In addition, the Arts Corps also has signed on executives from the music, television, and film industries to participate.

The Creative Coalition formed the Arts Corps as a means of counteracting the wave of political and economic fall-out besieging America's educational institutions and causing our nation's states to abandon arts education funding as a means to salvage budgets. 

"The Arts Corps demonstrates to educators on a local level that a strong arts education is vital to the cultural and economic advancement of our country," said actor and President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly. "When students are exposed to art programs, they are far more likely to graduate from high school and continue their education.  These are the students who will become our engineers, politicians, business leaders, and creative thinkers in the future."

"During these difficult economic times, our nation must realize the importance of designing and maintaining arts education programs," said CEO of The Creative Coalition Robin Bronk. "Recent studies unequivocally conclude that the creativity and innovation utilized in the artistic process are highly valued by employers in the United States. Funding the arts in education is a local, state and national economic development issue. Our children are depending on us to make sure this current trend in de-funding is reversed."

About The Creative Coalition

The Creative Coalition (http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ShowPage.aspx?3230383833317L31353831373436) is the premiere nonprofit, 501(C)(3) nonpartisan social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating, mobilizing, and activating its members on issues of public importance. The Creative Coalition uses the power and platform of the arts and entertainment communities in award-winning PSA campaigns.  Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization's President.