25 September 2015
Newsdesk
Sarah Jessica Parker finds it “thrilling” when arts education helps a child enjoy going to school.
The 50-year-old actress is mother to 12-year-old son James Wilkie and six-year-old twin daughters Marion and Tabitha with husband Matthew Broderick.
She is a firm believer in the importance of a good education for children, and thinks the introduction of arts to a school can really make a difference to pupils.
"We've seen unbelievable evidence of the difference in a child's daily life when you bring arts into a school," Sarah told People while attending the Turnaround Arts press conference at the Brooklyn Museum on Tuesday (22Sep15).
“On a personal level, when you walk into a building and you see kids excited to be at school and want to be there and the life of the interior of the school changes, it's thrilling."
Turnaround Arts helps students all over America by providing arts education resources alongside an artist mentor to help motivate pupils.
As part of her work with the organisation, Sarah has formed a strong bond with students at the Bethune School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Back in May, she was treated to recitals of poetry and musical performances from the kids when she visited the education centre.
"We've had extraordinary experiences with children who are frequently forgotten – marginalised schools that are not just low performing, but the lowest performing schools," Sarah said.
"With more arts, all of a sudden attendance goes up, kids pursue higher education...families are brought back into schools, which makes a big difference in the life of a child."
Sarah has become a household name through her acting career as well as her various philanthropic pursuits.
The actress is one of eight siblings and half-siblings and admitted previously she learnt at a young age to treasure what she has.
“My mother was chic but we were broke. Inside the house was chaos and madness… I appreciate everything,” she explained to Harper’s Bazaar magazine.
“I think that there are probably a lot of people that don’t care as much, and it all still works for them. But I can’t have my name on something and not be totally involved. It can often make things really hard but that’s simply the way I have to be.”
