The Scene

Keri Hilson & Amber Riley Lead the "Battle of the Bands" for Arts Education

Published on Thursday, March 10 2011
Written by Katie Marzullo

Nick Jonas, Jamie Foxx, Jewel, Beyoncé, John Mayer, and many more have all lent their famous faces and voices to this cause as “artist ambassadors”, investing time, energy, and funds to foster young creative minds.

To that end, starting March 1, VH1 and DoSomething.Org teamed up to announce their second annual “Battle of the Bands” campaign. The contest encourages young folks from around the country to submit videos which will then be sent directly to Congress as first-hand accounts of why Arts education is so, so important. It’s not just the adults fighting for the Arts – the kids care too, and they want our leaders in DC to know it!

This year’s contest is being led by spokesdivas Keri Hilson and “Glee” star Amber Riley, both of whom shot PSAs for the campaign. Check ‘em out below:

 

 

 

 

Studies have shown that Arts education is integral to the expanding and shaping of kids’ minds and not only provides an amazing creative outlet but also teaches kids to use their brains in critical ways, how to cooperate with others, and has a significant impact on kids actually staying in school and being engaged! As DoSomething.org CEO Nancy Lublin puts it, "Without music, how would any of us have learned the A-B-Cs?" No arguing with that. 

The campaign will be accepting submissions through April 15, and the Grand Prize Winner will receive $5,000 and a trip to NYC for the Do Something Awards Kickoff Event. For more info on the contest and how you can get involved, visit DoSomething.org/battle and/or vh1savethemusic.com. 

 

- Katie Marzullo, YH Staff Editor

@YHKatie