Empowering Educational Excellence
CTSA Senior Director of Development Sarah Strozza, CTSA Director of Outreach Programs Megan Belmonte, Dean Tiffany López, Farmers & Merchants Bank Foundation Director Tiffany Roberts, and Farmers & Merchants Bank Vice President Charlie Garcia
Farmers & Merchants Bank Foundation Supports Claire Trevor School of the Arts with a $10,000 Grant
The University of California, Irvine's Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA) is pleased to announce a generous $10,000 grant from the Farmers & Merchants Bank Foundation (FBMF). This contribution will enhance key initiatives aimed at enriching community engagement and educational opportunities for current and prospective students.
“I am incredibly excited about this grant for what it represents in terms of our partnership with the community, the investment in the arts at UCI, and the broader impact on all the arts. This support highlights our students as future leaders and impactful partners in the community. It is amazing to receive this generous gift that will not only support our students but also help transform the arts ecosystem in our community,” shared Dean López of CTSA.
“The Farmers & Merchants Bank Foundation's focus area in 2024 is the arts,” said Tiffany Roberts, director of the FMB Foundation. “Claire Trevor School of the Arts is the perfect recipient for this grant because of the great work the school does in community outreach and their unwavering support in making the arts accessible to students and emerging creatives,”
With the FMBF grant, CTSA will expand and continue its outreach through several programs:
- Arts Launch Internship Program: This new program offers paid internships within the creative sector, providing practical experience and professional development to both undergraduate and graduate students.
- Maintaining a Pipeline to K-12 Students: This initiative ensures continued access to arts education, inspiring future generations by integrating creative experiences into K-12 education.
- Creative Wayfinding and Professional Development for CTSA Students: Tailored to support our students' professional aspirations, this program includes career fairs, internships, job shadowing and alumni engagement, all aimed at preparing students for successful careers in the arts.
The FMBF grant will continue to enhance arts education at UC Irvine and serve as a beacon of cultural enrichment for the community. This collaboration was made in part by arts advocates Cheryll and Richard Ruszat. Their ongoing commitment to the arts and education at UCI continues to make a profound impact.