2016.05.06 - Fox 11/Blabbermouth - Matt Sorum Is Trying To Keep Arts In Los Angeles Schools

Former Guns N' Roses Drummer Matt Sorum Is Trying To Keep Arts In Los Angeles Schools

Former Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum made an appearance on Friday (May 6) on Fox 11 in Los Angeles to talk about a concert May 12 at the Fonda Theatre for elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The night will honor 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) and Robin Zander (Cheap Trick). All proceeds benefit Adopt The Arts, the organization Sorum co-founded with a mission to save the arts in public schools.

"The public school system, they were cutting the arts," Sorum explained. "I ended up going down and talking to the superintendent of the schools… I did a speech in front of the board and then they invited me to meet them and I told them I wanted to help."

The foundation initially raised enough money for 1,000 instruments. It now has two fully-funded schools, paying for the teachers, more instruments and the curriculum.

"I just really feel for these kids," Sorum said. "I want to give them as much chance as they can have in life."

Hosted by Sorum and Jane Lynch, the event will feature a host of special musical guests such as:

* Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour)
* Dean and Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots)
* Billy Duffy (The Cult)
* Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses)
* Steve Jones (Sex Pistols)
* Steve Lukather (Toto)
* Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
* Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)

Tickets are on sale via AXS.com.

Adopt The Arts is raising awareness and money to keep arts education in public schools in Los Angeles, and is gradually expanding into other cities. As in many school districts around the country, year after year LAUSD has been slowly eroding its commitment to arts education by reducing its arts education budget incrementally. According to its own numbers, LAUSD estimates that only 50% of elementary school students are getting some kind of art instruction at school. Some estimates suggest that LAUSD spends just 3 cents per child on arts education even though all scientific studies show that an education rich in the arts enhances academic performance, improves school culture, mitigates truancy and tardiness, and is instrumental in fully developing the young mind.

Adopt The Arts is focused on developing strategic relationships with educators, administrators, and board members to ensure that they are identifying the most underserved schools in the district. Each school site is "adopted" by a working artist, celebrity, or public figure. And while monetary donations are essential to Adopt The Arts' mission, personal involvement on the part of successful actors, musicians, artists and entrepreneurs is vital to the success of its program. Too many children are in great need of being exposed to inspirational people who have worked hard for their successes. The interaction between the children and adoptee creates a sense of responsibility and shared commitment from all involved.

Said Sorum: "This isn't just about your kid who may or may not be in public school; this is about our community. A lot of entertainers and wealthy people in the entertainment industry don't know what is happening in America's public schools. Adopt The Arts is shedding light on the reality of public education and providing an opportunity for people to invest in their community."

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