RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Students with an arts education are five times less likely to drop out of school; four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement; four times more likely to receive a bachelor’s degree and 30% more inclined to pursue a professional career.

And now more than ever, kids in transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade need arts education. With rising social and emotional issues students face post pandemic, youth need a way to express themselves at school. Educators, post pandemic, have been increasingly challenged with student depression and mental health issues. Education in the arts has proven to increase student engagement. Whether music, performing arts, literary arts or visual arts, the arts can help heal while creating better outcomes.

Rancho Cordova Arts (RC Arts, a nonprofit visual-arts group) has raised more than $35,000 for arts education supplies for Rancho Cordova schools over the past four years. Each year, artists in the greater Sacramento area donate their creativity to help raise money for art supplies for our teachers.

This year’s fundraiser, “Micro Masterpieces,” is an online auction done through 32auctions.com that starts at 8 a.m. June 3 and continues until 3 p.m. June 8. However, each of the more than 500 pieces can be viewed in person at the MACC (Mills Station Art and Culture Center) in its upstairs gallery from June 6 to June 8. Last year, Rancho Cordova Arts raised $15,000 and provided art supplies to 59 teachers in 17 schools in Rancho Cordova. The goal this year is to go beyond the $15,000 level to assist even more teachers and their students.

It’s no secret that teachers are undervalued and spend out-of-pocket money to provide their students with the best experience possible to improve student outcomes and achievements. Rancho Cordova Arts’ mission is to engage our community and create an artful place to live, work, play and grow. We put much focus on the youngest in the Rancho Cordova community to be able access the visual arts. In addition to our fundraising efforts, this year Rancho Cordova Arts is hosting free workshops for elementary school teachers to assist them to grow their art skills and better teach and facilitate art in their classrooms throughout the year.

The community can contribute to our cause by purchasing one or more of the 500 pieces of art through the online auction at www.32auctions.com/mmrca24 or they can make a tax-deductible donation through our website at ranchocordovaarts.org.

Help us get the word out to improve our students lives and make social and emotional learning through the arts a reality for students in transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade in Rancho Cordova for the 2024-25 school year.