A System to Fight Poverty with Music

Inspired by "El Sistema" of Venezuela Adam Johnston and iCAN created great music and arts programs for the children in Santa Barbara, California. The mission of the Incredible Children's Art Network (iCAN) is to bring high quality arts programs to children in Santa Barbara County, particularly those least likely to receive them. Through sustained creative learning opportunities that emphasize both artistic excellence and access, iCAN seeks to affect positive social change in the communities it serves. The iCAN Visual Arts Program is committed to inspiring and sustaining quality arts instruction as a fundamental part of every child’s education regardless of their experience, income or location. Now entering its third year, the iCAN Music Program serves over 120 1st - 6th Grade students at Franklin Elementary School, located in Santa Barbara’s East Side. The program operates every weekday during the school year for three hours, directly after school. Students receive intensive musical instruction, as well as time and support for homework completion.
-- read "A System to Fight Poverty with Music, at the Santa Barbara Foundation"



Here is a visit to the Visual Art program at Franklin School, prepared for Sir Ken Robinson's visit, where Teaching Artist Shannon McCain Jaffe is in the middle of a project of making mobiles from found objects.