There has been no other time in the 56-year history of Young Audiences of Houston where so much opportunity has converged with so much demand for the unique services of this organization. Over the past 5 years, YAH has seen a dramatic increase in the number of programs presented, diversification of venues served, and accessibility of services to the most deserving schools and community venues. This demonstrates that your support, paired with our efforts in promotion, advocacy, and research-based approaches to arts in education, has led to new enthusiasm and interest by school leaders in exploring the potential of the arts in education for children.

In its two most recent seasons alone, YAH's roster of professional artists representing all fine arts disciplines brought arts and culture to 450,720 children and teachers through 5,195 high quality performances, workshops, and residences in 357 school and community venues throughout the greater Houston area. This pattern of growth is made possible in large measure through the:

• support of the YAH Assistance Fund, utilized to subsidize YAH arts in education programming for venues in the greatest financial need, making the arts and collaboration accessible to a broad socioeconomic spectrum of schools and community venues;

• success of the recently established YAH Community Services Division, supporting performing, teaching, collaboration, and research of artists and therapists in children’s hospitals (primary site: Texas Children’s Cancer Center), special needs schools and environments (primary sites: T. H. Rogers and Avondale House) and at risk venues (primary site: High School Ahead Academy in HISD);

• establishment of HoustonArtsPartners.org, a significant new partnership project managed by YAH, representing an unprecedented content and curriculum collaboration between the 54 Greater Houston Area School Districts of the Texas Education Agency - Region 4 ESC and Houston’s leading arts organizations.

As YAH looks to the future, the most significant challenge facing the organization is its ability to effectively meet ongoing and increasing new demand for it’s expanding collaborative programs and services from a widening diversity of venues, paired with growing financial challenges facing many venues serving children. I am writing to you today to request your important tax-deductible support of our 2011-2012 individual giving campaign. I hope you will consider allocations to one or more of the organizational areas of greatest need listed on the enclosed giving card and will consider joining our new and unique patrons organization, the YAH Children’s Circle. On behalf of Houston’s children and the well being of our cultural future, I thank you in advance for your important and timely support at this critical time of growth for YAH.

>> Click HERE to download a PDF of our Individual Giving Donation Form

>> Click HERE to download a copy of our Individual Giving Letter