Research has shown that arts education not only fosters creativity in students, it also reduces stress, develops social and emotional skills and improves overall academic performance. Despite these proven benefits, many schools’ arts programs remain underfunded. North Little Rock’s Thea Foundation is working to change the narrative.
The Thea Foundation was created in 2002 in honor of Thea Kay Leopoulos, a local 17-year-old whose life was positively and powerfully impacted by her love of the arts. After Thea passed away in a car accident, her parents Paul and Linda Leopoulos founded the Foundation with the goal of empowering local youth through arts education.
The foundation has implemented programs statewide to bring its mission to life. These programs include Thea’s Art Closet, the Arts Reconstruction Program and Thea Scholarships.
Equipping Classrooms through Thea’s Art Closet
Thea Foundation partners with DonorsChoose, an online fundraising platform where teachers post projects they’d like to complete with their students but lack funding for the supplies. Teachers can apply for funding for two projects per semester.
“Classrooms then are enriched with supplies like new paints, brushes, kilns, clay and 3-D printers, bringing a new energy and vibrancy to their classroom,” says Nick Leopoulos, Thea Foundation Executive Director.
The Foundation reached 16% of Arkansas students during the 2023/2024 school year and has a goal of reaching more than 50% by 2032.
“When teachers know the support is there, they will dare themselves to dream bigger and empower their students in new, bold ways,” Nicks says.
Supporting Educators through the Arts Reconstruction Program
Thea Foundation’s Art Reconstruction Program is designed to amplify existing public high school arts programs by providing resources for teachers to equip their students to pursue higher education in the arts.
“Fifteen to 20 public high school teachers in central Arkansas are offered intensive summer training in new visual mediums, then provided with the necessary equipment to take these new skills back to their schools and students,” Nick says. “We hope to continue our expansion beyond central Arkansas in the near future.”
Empowering High School Seniors through Thea Scholarships
Thea Foundation also offers scholarship opportunities for high school seniors statewide.
“Through our inaugural program, $219,000 worth of Thea scholarships are awarded to Arkansas high school seniors annually in five different categories: performing arts, visual arts, creative writing, film making and fashion design,” Nick explains. “Winners are selected based solely on talent – never on test scores, GPAs or intent to major in the arts.”
Students who are seniors this school year (2024/2025) can apply now. The theme for this year’s competition is “Fluidity,” and all submissions are due by Jan. 5, 2025. Visit theafoundation.org/scholarships for more information.
Growth is the Goal
Since its inception, Thea Foundation has grown exponentially. And growth continues to be the goal.
“Thea Foundation has awarded more than $3.1 million in scholarships to Arkansas students and provided more than $2.1 million in art supplies and creative materials to underfunded schools through our Art Closet program,” Nick says.
“We have proven success with our programs, so our goal is simply to level up — reach more students and teachers across the state each year. With increased funding from donors we can accomplish that,” he says.
Supporting Thea Foundation’s Work
The best way to support the Thea Foundation is to first appreciate the work it is doing in the community.
“Come see us!” Nick says. “We have a vibrant gallery at our offices in Argenta. Through our Art Department program, presented by Delta Dental of Arkansas, we have quarterly art shows with up-and-coming artists in central Arkansas, many of whom have benefited from Thea’s programing.”
Additionally, every April and May, the Thea Foundation hosts its Arts Reconstruction teachers and their students in the gallery and the Arkansas Pastel Society each July.
“We also host Thea Paves the Way, a community chalk art event, each September with the Clinton Presidential Center,” Nick says.
For updates on Thea Foundation happenings, sign up for its newsletter at theafoundation.org and follow @theafoundation on Instagram and Facebook. The Foundation thrives on support of the community.
“Our collective aim is to enrich young minds through the power of the arts … The work we do would not be possible without the support we receive from our partners and donors across Arkansas,” Nick says. “The only thing keeping us from reaching 100% of students in Arkansas is funding.”
Those wishing to offer monetary support can visit theafoundation.org.
“When teachers know the support is there, they will dare themselves to dream bigger and empower their students in new, bold ways.”
“We have proven success with our programs, so our goal is simply to level up — reach more students and teachers across the state each year. With increased funding from donors we can accomplish that.”