Harry Carol Davis

PALM SPRINGS, Calif.—Carol Channing is arguably one of the most recognized and celebrated entertainers in the industry. At 90, she could easily rest on the laurels of her legendary career and hold court as the reigning queen of Broadway. Instead, Carol Channing has dedicated the rest of her life to bringing the arts back to our country's public schools. She and her husband, Harry Kullijian, founded The Channing-Kullijian Foundation For The Arts whose mission is to restore the arts to every public school in the nation and to ensure an arts education to every child in America. “We aren’t trying to save the arts”, says Channing, “We are using the arts to save our children.”

The United States Congress and Senate have designated the second week of September as “Arts In Education Week” by a joint resolution HR 275, authored by Rep. Jackie Speier and inspired by Channing. 2011 marks the first annual national commemoration and takes place from September 11-18. The Channing-Kullijian Foundation will celebrate the week in Palm Springs by helping to raise money for, and awareness of, the need for arts in America's public schools. “Studies show that children who get music and art in their schools read better, achieve more and drop out less. These same children show better scores in math and science too and often it takes only one subject that captures their hearts to keep them in school. The arts build self-confidence, team work and ultimately builds better schools and better adults,” declares Mr. Kullijian.

Three time TONY Award winner, Golden Globe recipient and Oscar nominee, Ms. Carol Channing was granted a doctorate in fine arts by The California State University, Stanislaus in 2004. Carol and her husband Harry founded the Dr. Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian Foundation for the Arts in 2004 to advocate for arts education as part of the standard curriculum in all public schools throughout the United States.

“I have seen, firsthand, the transformation of young people who are given the opportunity to experience an arts education,” says the Foundation's Executive Director, David Green. “Even those who have no desire to pursue a career in the arts are changed forever from the experience. The arts grow and nurture creative, committed and compassionate human beings. The arts bridge communities, races and people from all walks of life and socio-economic boundaries. The arts are the soul of a nation. When we lose the arts, we lose a piece of our humanity.”

The Channing-Kullijian Foundation (www.channingarts.org) is sponsoring two desert fund/friend-raising events in September. “Education a'la cARTE” is a weeklong campaign in partnership with several of the Coachella Valley's most popular restaurants. Participating restaurants will donate a percentage of their profits for the week of September 11-18 to the Foundation and a portion of those proceeds will go directly into the arts programs in designated schools in the Coachella Valley.

Rex Smith

WHAT/WHO: AND THE WINNER IS - THE CHILDREN. Join the Ultimate Broadway Baby, Carol Channing, as The Channing-Kullijian Foundation offers patron's the desert's biggest Emmy® viewing Party, featuring The 63rd Primetime Emmy® Telecast, hosted by Lulu California Bistro. Channing and celebrated friends will host a red carpet event featuring a live and silent auction, very special performances by Broadway personalities such as Jonelle Allen (Tony nominee for Two Gentlemen of Verona), Rex Smith (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Grand Hotel & Pirates of Penzance), Davis Gaines (The Phantom of the Opera & Camelot), Kamilah Marshall (Hairspray & Rent), and introducing Barbara Van Orden, as well as a special performance by young people representing the Valley's public schools' arts programs. The Foundation will proudly present the first ARTS STAR AWARD to Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), who successfully championed the H Con Res 275, a concurrent resolution designating a week in September as “Arts in Education Week.” Scheduled appearances subject to change. For updates visit www.ChanningArts.org

WHERE: Lulu's California Bistro - 200 S. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs
WHEN: Sunday, September 18, 6:30-10:00 p.m.
TICKETS: Available starting at $85.00 for individuals and $150 per couple by calling 760-566-6231

New names have been added to the list of celebrity attendees. Lending their talents and names to the EMMY® Award viewing party event benefiting the Dr. Channing/Kullijian Foundation (www.ChanningArts.org) will be Broadway personalities such as Jonelle Allen (Tony nominee for Two Gentlemen of Verona), Davis Gaines (The Phantom of the Opera & Camelot), Kamilah Marshall (Hairspray & Rent), Rex Smith (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Grand Hotel & Pirates of Penzance) and introducing Barbara Van Orden.

The Foundation will proudly present the first ARTS STAR AWARD to Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-CA), who successfully championed the H Con Res 275, a concurrent resolution designating a week in September as “Arts in Education Week.”