FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact Peter Rosten
June 28, 2006(406) 370-3745
“MAPS receives $40,000 grant from
the Steele-Reese Foundation”
Corvallis, MT. –The New York based Steele-Reese Foundation has awarded Montana’s MAPS: Media Arts in the Public Schools a $40,000 grant.
The Steele-Reese Foundation, a trust for charitable purposes, was created by Eleanor Steele Reese in 1955 and supports projects in education, health, social welfare, the humanities and the environment.
The grant will be used to purchase additional filmmaking equipment and underwrite student film production costs and salary support for its currentCorvallisSchool Districtprogram. Says MAPS President, Peter Rosten: “We’re enormously appreciative of the Steele-Reese Foundation’s support. We have worked very hard to earn the trust of the larger foundations around the country and Steele-Reese’s financial assistance indicates that we’re succeeding.”
For the last two yearsMAPS has been funded by many means ranging from “Mom and Pop” donations to their successful “LITTLE FEAT” benefit at the Wilma in Missoula. Additionally, the program has attracted real world clients who hireMAPS to create and produce television commercials, corporate sales films etc. Among the clients are: The Ravalli County DUI Task Force, S.A.F.E. (Supporters of an Abuse Free Environment) and the Daly Foundation/Marcus Daly Hospital.
MAPShas received a lot of good news lately. MEDA - the Montana Economic Developers Association - has endorsed the program. Says MEDA President Rick Edwards: “The members of MEDA’s Board of Directors believe that the MAPS program is a wonderful example of a working partnership between business professionals and educators creating very real future opportunites for Montana’s young people. MAPS is a win-win for the state of Montana as it combines education, economic development and workforce training – all in one proven program.”
Looking ahead -MAPS will begin expansion to other school districts in Montana in 2007.Says Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Linda McCulloch: "What this program gives students is an opportunity to look at something that's very different than what they have as part of their regular classroom programs. It gives them a view into a world that's very different and, frankly, very innovative and exciting."
The proposed funding for expansion will be a public/private partnership combining state/federal money with private sector donors. To achieve this goal Senators Baucus, Burns and Representative Rehberg are supporting an earmark for federal dollars; and on a state level, Senator Rick Laible submitted the legislative request for MAPS last week.
Says Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, “In 2007, MAPS will expand to other school districts throughout the state. The program is a great supplement to arts education in our schools and will likely lead students into quality jobs in the future, whether in the film industry or not.”
Other MAPS news:
The latest MAPS movie, “SOUL SIGHT”, was premiered at the Pharaohplex Theater in Corvallis and drew an overflow crowd and rave reviews: “Soul Sight is one of those films that ambushes the audience – putting them right in the thick of the excitement and mystery.” (Georgia Kay, Arts and Entertainment reporter, RavalliRepublic)
The American School Board Journal featured MAPS in a story about public school arts programs around the country. (
“The Clintons” band has agreed to headline three fund-raising benefits for this fall. Opening the show will be the Bitterroot band, “Wang Dang Doodle”. The locations will be Miller’s Crossing (Helena), Baxter’s Balloom (Bozeman) and the FirstInterstateCenter (Hamilton).
Eighteen year old MAPS graduate Lucas McLean has started his own media production company, Circumference Productions,and has signed The Ronald McDonald House as a client.
For more information, contact Peter Rosten @ (406) 370-3745 or visit the MAPS website,
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