NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2013--
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.
Tommy Hilfiger and President of the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation Guy Vickers meet Walgrove Elementary teacher Mr. Donzell Lewis (Photo: Business Wire)
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.
PHOTO: http://assignments.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr197557577
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.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131015007045/en/
Source: PVH Corp.
The Tommy Hilfiger Group
Kaley Shaffer, 212-548-1773
Regional
Public Relations Manager
kshaffer@tommy.com
or
Evan
Tye, 212-548-1989
Corporate Communications Manager
evantye@tommy.com
