Flagstaff Blues and Brews' event organizers and owner recently announced a community partnership with the Flagstaff Unified School District Foundation (FUSDF).Through a portion of the festivals proceeds, it will benefit the music programs in the Flagstaff Public School District (FUSD) and inspire kids through music.
FUSDF enhances the educational experience of students in the district, with the help and support of alumni and community resources and funding. Since 2016, the FUSD Foundation has raised over $74,000, to directly help FUSD and impacting the lives of thousands of students.
The Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival has donated proceeds to other local school music programs in the past to help motivate and inspire kids with music. In recent years we’ve seen funding stripped from public school budgets that support music programs. So this funding goes a long way.
“We are excited to partner with the Flagstaff Blues and Brews and gratefully welcome their donation to the music programs in the Flagstaff Unified School District,” says Mandy Metzger, President of the FUSD Foundation Board. “These donations will help the foundation support students with increased access to musical instruments and instruction. We know that when our kids participate in musical programs, their academic achievement increases along with their satisfaction with school and community.”
Since the festival’s beginnings 8 years ago, it has donated more than $65,000 to local music and arts education programs. This partnership with FUSDF will ensure the funds are now directly benefiting those music programs oftentimes forgotten in the budget process.
“The majority of school age children aren’t aware of the authentic roots of the Blues and have little chance of learning about the impact it’s had on everything they listen to today,” says Jennifer Grogan, the owner of Peak Events and Flagstaff Blues and Brews. “The blues are usually performed in clubs, and you won’t see it on social platforms, so they have little exposure to this classic art form. By partnering with the foundation, we’re hoping to inspire kids to learn more about the blues and keep this traditional American-based music alive in the next generations.”
"We are grateful that both the Flagstaff Blues and Brews and the FUSD Foundation are coming together for the benefit of our students," says Flagstaff Unified School District Superintendent Michael Penca. "This is a tremendous opportunity to support music and arts education throughout our community."
For more information about the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival, please visit www.flagstaffblues.com.