2024 End of Year Giving

It has truly been a banner year for us and thanks go especially to our generous donors. As we reflect upon this last year, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that our accomplishments would not be achieved without you. Some of our accomplishments in 2024 include the following:

• Our programming and numbers continued to grow
• Every child that participated was given the opportunity to develop as an artist and as an individual
• Almost every week of art camp this past summer was sold out
• Every child that went through our portfolio coaching was admitted to Booker T. Washington High School, Dallas ISD’s premier arts magnet high school. (A portfolio is required for admission.)
• Our alumni continue to inspire and amaze us with their phenomenal talent and accomplishments. Some of our alumni are now selling their art and some who are now teenagers are assisting with CME’s summer classes.

Even with these achievements, the children in our Dallas Oak Cliff community are facing increasing inequity when it comes to access to the arts. Dallas ISD has cut fine arts budgets by half or more, and some visual arts programs have been eliminated entirely. For most of the families that we serve, school is their main source of arts education. To help meet the needs of these children, Color Me Empowered is developing partnerships with these area schools to help in whatever way we can.

The good news is that the gap that needs to be bridged is not insurmountable, but we need your help in the coming months more than ever. As you consider your charitable gifts at the close of 2024, please keep CME and our community in mind. Creating equity in the arts is indeed a challenge, but one for which we continually strive.

We are so thankful for you and your continued support.

Love and Art,

Kristen E. Rice

CME Director