Bell Investment Advisors Awards 2013 Annual Youth-in-the-Arts Grant

OAKLAND, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 11, 2013) - Bell Investment Advisors, http://www.bellinvest.com, announced today that the firm is awarding its second annual Youth-in-the-Arts Grant of $5000 to the Gritty City Repertory Youth Theatre (CGR). CGR provides a transformative yearlong program for at-risk and underserved youth identified by teachers in the Oakland Unified School District. The organization's mission is designed to foster an appreciation of the arts, create talented actors, and build leaders who understand the power of teamwork and commitment, and who have the confidence to take on just about any challenge.

In its first season, the group produced two full-length shows, Anon by Naomi Iizuka, and Shakespeare's The Tempest, performing each show eight times for over 650 audience members, 56% of whom, research revealed, had never previously attended a live performance of any kind.

The $5,000 Bell grant will directly support production costs for GCR's spring production of an original play, After Juliette, and will assist the organization in moving to its new location, Flight Deck, a theater complex currently under construction in downtown Oakland. GCR is one of only four companies (and the only youth company!) accepted as resident companies for the 2013-2014 season. 

Upon hearing news of the award, GCR's Executive Director, Lindsay Krumbein responded: "Bell Investment Advisor's generous Youth-in-the-Arts Grant will make a huge difference in the success of Gritty City Rep as we work to provide theater arts opportunities for Oakland youth. We are thrilled and honored to be this year's recipient of such an exciting award. I can't wait to share the good news with our Youth Ensemble!" 

Gritty City Rep was selected as this year's grant recipient from among 35 deserving applicant organizations. See a list of the finalists at http://www.bellinvest.com/about/bell-youth-arts-grant. GCR is an example of the many youth-based arts programs that have sprung up in Oakland in response to severe budget cuts to arts programs in the Oakland Unified School District over the past several years. By providing this grant every year, Bell Investment Advisors intends to bring attention and increased support to them, and strongly encourages other businesses to support them as well.

Organizations which have not received the grant in previous years are encouraged to apply for the 2014 Bell Youth-in-the-Arts Grant when it is announced in the spring.

Bell Investment Advisors is a privately-held registered investment advisory firm, managing over $500 million in assets. In its 22nd year of business, Bell offers investment management, financial planning, and career/life coaching services. For more information, visit www.bellinvest.com.