Variety – the Children’s Charity is proud to support the After School Arts Program (ASAP), an organization dedicated to providing free, high-quality arts programming for children across Central Iowa. With help from a Variety Grant, ASAP was able to purchase professional-grade art supplies and equipment for use in its programs - held in schools, libraries, parks, and other community spaces.
ASAP exists to make the arts accessible to young people who might otherwise miss out due to barriers such as cost, transportation, language, or feeling like they don’t belong. Through hands-on experiences in visual art, music, drama, dance, and more, ASAP helps kids develop confidence, creativity, and skills that prepare them for school, work, and life.
Variety’s support ensures that these programs remain free and accessible, opening doors to creative discovery for children who need it most.
One such child is Liz (pictured below), a second grader described by her teacher, Ms. Collins, as thoughtful and very shy. Liz often missed school on Mondays, a pattern that raised concern due to the long-term impacts of early absenteeism - especially on reading proficiency, a key predictor of academic success.
This winter, Liz enrolled in an ASAP class offered after school on Mondays at her school. The class focused on color mixing and mosaic-making - and everything changed. From the first session on, Liz never missed another Monday. In fact, she told her teacher, “I even came when I didn’t feel good and should have stayed home.”
Ms. Collins shared that Liz’s improved attendance has helped her start each week on the right foot, no longer falling behind. Liz simply didn’t want to miss any of the art projects.
ASAP studio classes are designed to build over time, encouraging students to attend regularly so they can grow their skills, confidence, and creativity. Liz has even begun to express herself more openly, finding new ways to communicate her thoughts and feelings through art.
Her story is just one example of the transformative power of the arts - and how Variety’s Grant program is helping kids like Liz gain the tools they need to thrive.
