The Musagetes Fund is Fostering Children's Creative Potential

Thanks to a grant from the Musagetes Fund, a donor advised fund within the Guelph Community Foundation, more children in our community had the opportunity to explore what they are most passionate about including pottery, drawing lessons, music, dance, acting and improv. The lessons, funded through the Children’s Foundation Free to Play Program and taught by inspiring local instructors, fostered children’s creative potential and helped build them into future artists in our community.

Here is some feedback on a few Musagetes funded activities:

• A 13-year-old was able to participate in The Making Box Improv Incubator. Her mom reported that her daughter flourished through the program. Her favourite part was getting to act and play different roles. Mom says that they are very low income and her daughter would not have been able to participate without the support. It also helped them all in their personal relationships at home and school.
• A 9-year-old took singing lessons. Mom wrote, “It makes my child happy and he learned lots of knowledge. It is good for him to learn to sing. He loves to sing every day. Thank you for giving us this chance.”
• An 11-year-old who took dance lessons was asked what she liked most about the experience, to which she replied, “I danced, learned to be a part of a team, learned new dance moves, learned to believe in myself.”

The families funded through the Children’s Foundation Free to Play Program are living in low income situations with an average household income of $17,000. Many of them are single parents relying on small incomes from Ontario Works or Disability; others are new Canadians; and some are fleeing situations involving abuse. The Musagetes Fund is intended to act as a catalyst for the ongoing production and enjoyment of performing, visual and literary arts excellence in Guelph and area. Without this support, these young, budding artists may never have the opportunity or confidence to explore their creativity and passions.

In 2015, the Free to Play Program was able to fund children’s participation in 200 music and arts activities. This is an increase of 43 activities from 2014. The increase in supporters focused on music and the arts has allowed that increase to happen. Specifically, the Musagetes Fund funded 10 children’s participation. Unfortunately, many children in our community are still unable to access these funds. Thanks to supporters like the Musagetes Fund, each year more children are able to experience the joy of music and the arts.