(Estimated 2027 Budget of $100,000)

      High-quality arts programs give preschool children a strong foundation for developing social-emotional skills. The arts create safe, joyful spaces where children can express feelings, practice cooperation, build empathy, feel a greater sense of belonging, and build self-confidence. With guidance from skilled teachers and assistants, children use music, drama, and visual arts to learn to recognize and manage emotions. Quality early education programs guide 3-5-year-olds and foster coping, self-discovery, and relational skills.

      The Castle Foundation therefore encourages programs and projects, especially pilot projects in public and private preschools. Our trustees view our role in arts education as primarily focused on teacher education. Hawaii’s education system has strong continuing learning requirements from the Executive Office of Early Education (for public preschools) and the Department of Human Services (for private preschools). Schools should ensure that teacher professional development highlighting the arts in a pre-K environment counts toward required professional development hours.

Grants amounts are generally in the $25,000 – $50,000 range.

      Grants should cover a portion of the arts project’s costs; generally, preschools will provide a financial commitment to the school’s teacher education. Additional funding from Hawaii’s charitable foundations or individual donors is especially appreciated.