PHOENIX — Act One, a local nonprofit organization that provides access to the arts for Arizona’s students and families, is pleased to announce it has received a $100,000 grant from the Burton Family Foundation, a supporting organization of the Arizona Community Foundation. This substantial gift will help support a new season of content for Act One’s curated, groundbreaking virtual reality arts program.

“As we build on the success of the VR program in reaching schools, children and communities who have geographic limitations to in-person arts experiences, we recognize the need to offer a new season of content for the VR field trip program” says Bernadette Carroll, executive director of Act One. “We are deeply appreciative of the Burton Family Foundation’s commitment to access and education and will apply this generous grant toward the creation of new arts and cultural experiences for Arizona’s Title I students through the use of this exceptional technology.”

Act One provides meaningful arts experiences that enhance the academic and creative potential of children and families. The nonprofit makes the arts accessible to thousands of children and families in Arizona each year through field trips for pre-K-12 students from Title I schools, the VR Arts Immersion program and the Culture Pass program.

The $100,000 Burton Family Foundation grant will enable Act One to develop season two of the VR arts program which will launch in late Spring of 2023. The funds will also be used to replace headsets and enable an upgrade to the technology. The eventual goal of Act One’s VR program is to build a five season content library where teachers can differentiate their program needs based on age, grade and subject area.

“We are pleased to be able to provide a $100,000 grant to Act One,” says Christy Burton, Chair of The Burton Family Foundation. “It is an honor to partner with and support this impactful organization as they provide arts education through virtual reality technology to Arizona’s Title I students.”

To learn more about Act One’s mission to provide Arizona’s students and families with access to the arts through field trips, virtual reality and the Culture Pass program, please visit https://act1az.org/.