Riedel Foundation grant helps youth art initiative reach more than 500 children in Hannibal area

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal Arts Council has received a $5,000 grant from the Riedel Foundation to help fund art experiences for more than 500 children ages 3-17 in the Hannibal area.

Included in the Riedel grant is an allocation for the Wild and Wacky Art Adventure, a popular summer event. The money will help expand the newly-developed IMPACT Youth Summer Art Camps, monthly Art Adventure creative workshops, Young Masters partnership exhibit for selected 5th grade, 8th grade and high school students in Hannibal’s public and parochial schools, as well as youth art programs for foster children.

In a press release, program coordinator Brenda Beck Fisher said, “We aim to provide positive experiences in which youth can interact, explore creativity and develop self-confidence via the arts. These programs are designed to allow youth to meet and interact with local artists, work inter-generationally and work creatively in a variety of art forms.”

The Riedel Foundation also recently awarded a $4,000 grant to the Hannibal Concert Association to bring music performances and instruction to Hannibal students.

“The Riedel Foundation has been a long-time supporter of the arts in Hannibal,” Riedel trustee April Baldwin said. “Every year we support concerts, plays, community festivals, shows and programming. These events enrich lives in Hannibal, but our grants also make sure the arts are available to everyone, regardless of income.”