New grant program provides essential funds for cultural field trips Sept. 15, 2008—The Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) today announced the launch of Big Yellow School Bus, a new grant program to help schools meet the costs of providing educational field trips to cultural institutions and events across the Commonwealth for their students. Big Yellow School Bus meets a growing need to help schools fund organized field trips to art and science museums, historic sites, and music and theatre performances, which are often eliminated due to the pressures of dwindling budgets. According to a recent MCC survey of Massachusetts public school principals, nine out of 10 respondents said they planned to cut back on field trips in the coming year, and nearly all cited rising fuel costs as one of the reasons. Exposure to creative learning at cultural institutions is a vital component to a child's academic development. These visits help foster creativity and innovation, which Governor Deval Patrick's 21st Century Skills Task Force identifies as among the most important skills for students to develop today. The Big Yellow School Bus Program is designed to foster partnerships between schools and cultural institutions so students across the state can explore their creativity and experience all that Massachusetts cultural life has to offer. Funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and MCC, Big Yellow School Bus any K-12 school in Massachusetts to apply for a $200 grant to be utilized during the 2008-2009 school year. Grants provided by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will support schools with a high percentage of low-to-moderate income students, as well as schools focused on students with special needs. "Cultural institutions are critical to the economy, quality of life and ongoing educational development of the Commonwealth," said Robert E. Gallery, Massachusetts President, Bank of America. "Rising costs have left too many schools without access. Big Yellow School Bus is one way to help restore those opportunities, so today's students have the chance to learn, explore and expand their imaginations outside the classroom." "Field trips provide thousands of Massachusetts children their first or perhaps only opportunity to experience a live concert or play, or see a master work of art," said Anita Walker, Executive Director of the MCC, who spearheaded the first Big Yellow School Bus program in Iowa. "Thanks to the generosity of Bank of America and support from our Governor and Legislature, our children won't have to miss out on these experiences." Big Yellow School Bus applications and more information can be found online at www.massculturalcouncil.org Bank of America and the Arts Bank of America is a leading supporter of arts and culture in the United States. Through a wide variety of programs, Bank of America works to strengthen artistic institutions and provide greater access to treasured works of art for both its customers and those who might not otherwise experience them. Each year the company provides millions of dollars in grants to a wide range of arts organizations, supporting education and access programs and enabling institutions to expand their scope, and underwrites national and local performances, arts programs, and exhibitions. Through its unique loaned exhibition program, the bank offers its art collection to museums throughout the country, free of charge, so they may expand their offerings for the benefit of their communities. The Massachusetts Cultural Council is a state agency that promotes excellence, access, education and diversity in arts and culture, to improve the quality of life for Massachusetts residents and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities. Last year MCC launched Creative Minds,a broad-based effort to expand learning opportunities for young people in the arts, humanities, and sciences through grants, support for educators, and public policy initiatives. The Big Yellow School Bus Program is part of that effort. For more on Creative Minds, go to http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/creativeminds.asp Last Updated: September 19, 2008