Northwestern Mutual contributes another $500,000 to organizations

The Northwestern Mutual Foundation recently donated $532,000 in arts education grants to benefit 17 best-in-class nonprofit organizations. The grants build upon the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to “Secure Future Generations” and reduce achievement gaps by providing local children with hands-on experiences with the arts. 
“Our goal is to help ensure kids in Milwaukee have access to the arts,” said Deanna Tillisch, vice president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Research shows that students who participate extensively in arts programs score higher on standardized tests, are more well-rounded and exude more confidence than those not exposed to the arts. By investing in arts education, communities become stronger, more culturally diverse and vibrant for the long term.” 
Organizations receiving portions of the grant include the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Arts @ Large, Art 180, Boston Ballet, Creative Alliance Milwaukee, Inc., Danceworks, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Express Yourself Milwaukee, First Stage, Milwaukee Ballet, Milwaukee Children’s Choir, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Pius XI High School, Skylight Opera Theatre, String Academy of Wisconsin and VSA Wisconsin.