Ryan Eisenberg, director of Hillsides Education Center, and Rob Wherley, a special education teacher at the school, received a music and art education grant from the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts on behalf of Hillsides at a ceremony held recently at the Pasadena Showcase House.

Hillsides, a Pasadena-headquartered charity serving Los Angeles County, has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts for the music and art education program at Hillsides Education Center. The funds will be used to purchase musical instruments, recording equipment, and other supplies for the approximately 110 boys and girls in grade K – 12 who attend the school.

The Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts produces the annual Pasadena Showcase House of Design and funds programs that nurture the study and appreciation of music.

During the 2013-14 academic year, Hillsides’ art education program also received $10,000 in grant funding from The Ernest Lieblich Foundation, a supporting organization of the California Community Foundation. Ernest Lieblich was a local businessman who had a passion for the arts and helping underprivileged children have access to them.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of these two foundations and other private donations for their help in providing the specialized educational needs of the children in our care,” said Joseph M. Costa, Hillsides chief executive officer. “We have repeatedly witnessed the profound therapeutic and developmental benefits that art and music can provide for students who suffer from cognitive and developmental challenges due to trauma or a learning disorders. These grants will help us continue to offer a wide variety of art classes and musical instruction to our students.”

Hillsides music education program aligns with California’s education standards and covers music history, appreciation, performance, and instrumental instruction. The art education program, also aligned with California’s education standards, includes painting, drawing, cartooning, sculpture, photography, and other visual media.

Hillsides Education Center, one of Hillsides’ core four programs, is a therapeutic residential and day school that offers individualized education for children with learning or behavioral challenges. Hillsides is a premier provider dedicated to improving the overall well-being and functioning of vulnerable children, youth, and families throughout Los Angeles. For more information on the Education Center and on Hillsides, please visit www.hillsides.org.