NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Tommy Hilfiger Group, which is wholly owned by PVH Corp. [NYSE:PVH], and P.S. ARTS celebrated the launch of a unique arts education curriculum with a school visit to Walgrove Elementary School by designer Tommy Hilfiger, P.S. ARTS’ Amy Shapiro and Kristen Paglia, Walgrove Elementary School Principal Olivia Adams and President of the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation Guy Vickers.
Designed specifically for students with autism and special needs in mind, the Tommy Hilfiger-P.S. ARTS Education Program includes funding for year-round arts education curriculums at both Walgrove and Grand View Elementary Schools led by full-time Teaching Artists.
“Autism awareness and education is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart, and an issue that affects my family.” said Tommy Hilfiger. “I am very proud to launch this partnership with P.S. ARTS, and I hope that with its unique focus on bringing all children together for arts education, the program will pave the way for similar programs in the Los Angeles area and across the country.”
Recent education budget cuts have resulted in the systematic reduction and elimination of arts programs in California public schools and across the country, with the greatest impact being felt in programs for special needs students. The reduction of integrated arts programs has led to a severe lack of opportunity for all students to learn and experience together in diverse classroom environments. This lack of inclusive curriculum opportunities has had the unintended effect of further segregating autistic and special needs students from the general student population. The partnership specifically addresses the need for programs in underserved public schools that are designed to be inclusive of both special needs and general education students.
“We are incredibly excited to launch the Tommy Hilfiger-P.S. ARTS Education Program,” said Amy Shapiro, Executive Director, Advancement & Operations for P.S. ARTS. “Tommy Hilfiger has been a longtime advocate for autism awareness and education, and this unique partnership is a tremendous reflection of our mission of improving the lives of children with comprehensive, sustainable, high-quality arts education to underserved public schools and communities.”
The evening preceding the school visit, members from the P.S. ARTS Board of Trustees and staff honored Mr. Hilfiger and his wife Dee with a dinner party hosted by Maria Bell at her Los Angeles home. The dinner was attended by notable philanthropists and fashion industry leaders.
“I have long been an active member of the arts community and personally dedicated to raising money to support arts education across the country,” said Maria Bell. “Tommy Hilfiger is a dear friend and it is an honor to celebrate the launch of this important arts education program with such a fantastic group of people.”
The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation’s support of P.S. ARTS reflects the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to autism related programs across North America. Tommy and Dee Hilfiger are both passionate and long-time supporters of the autism community, raising funds and awareness of the disorder.
Tommy Hilfiger established The Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation in December 1995 to help empower America’s youth, developing and supporting programs and partnerships that build and promote healthy communities by supporting education, health and cultural programs. The Foundation believes education and family is the cornerstone for today’s diverse youth population. For children to succeed in today’s global society, a stronger emphasis must be placed on higher education leading to greater career opportunities. The Foundation also recognizes the importance of building a healthy community and is committed to investing in organizations and cultural programs that impact the physical well-being of at risk youth and family programs.
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VIDEO: www.EPKLink.com/TommyHilfigerPSArts
About The Tommy Hilfiger Group
With a premium lifestyle brand portfolio that includes Tommy Hilfiger, Hilfiger Denim and Tommy Girl, the Tommy Hilfiger Group is one of the world’s most recognized designer apparel groups. Its focus is designing and marketing high-quality menswear, womenswear, children’s apparel and denim collections. Through select licensees, the Group offers complementary lifestyle products such as sportswear for men, women, juniors and children; footwear; athletic apparel (golf, swim and sailing); bodywear (underwear, robes and sleepwear); eyewear; sunwear; watches; handbags; men’s tailored clothing; men’s dress furnishings; socks; small leather goods; fragrances; home and bedding products; bathroom accessories; and luggage. The Hilfiger Denim product line consists of jeanswear and footwear for men, women and children; bags; accessories; eyewear and fragrance. Merchandise under the Tommy Hilfiger brands is available to consumers worldwide through an extensive network of Tommy Hilfiger retail stores, leading specialty and department stores and other select retailers and retail channels.
About PVH Corp.
PVH Corp., one of the world’s largest apparel companies, owns and markets the iconic Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands worldwide. It is the world’s largest shirt and neckwear company and markets a variety of goods under its own brands, Van Heusen, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, IZOD, ARROW, Bass, G.H. Bass & Co., Warner’s and Olga, and its licensed brands, including Speedo, Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Sean John, Chaps, Donald J. Trump Signature Collection, JOE Joseph Abboud, DKNY, Ike Behar and John Varvatos.
About P.S. ARTS
P.S. ARTS’ mission is to improve the lives of children by providing comprehensive, sustainable, high-quality arts education to underserved public schools and communities. Through its core programs in 30 partner schools in Los Angeles and the Central Valley the organization reaches over 12,000 students via weekly core programs and an additional 4,500 children through strategic partnerships. On average, more the 75% of P.S. ARTS students are living at or below the Federal Poverty Level.
P.S. ARTS is the only artists-in-residence program in Southern and Central California providing weekly, yearlong arts education programs integrated into the regular school day. Their programs create a positive impact on the academic, social, and emotional wellbeing of the children they work with. P.S. ARTS hires and trains professional artists to develop standards-based curriculum and teach dance, music, theater, and visual arts. The organization customizes instruction to meet the specific needs of the elementary and middle schools, and all classes are in alignment with the California Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) standards.
