Act One, a charitable organization in Arizona focused on providing arts education access to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location, is combining technology, education and arts with its groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) field trip program, is pleased to announce a $25,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities. The grant will fund virtual reality field trips for over 5,000 Phoenix-area students.
“Arts education can be delivered in a variety of formats, but with Act One’s VR field trip program, we are able to provide an innovative, growing, cost-effective and research-driven experience for middle and high school students and educators. Arts education is critical to today’s students and their future successes, which is why we are grateful for this grant from Thunderbirds Charities that will allow us to serve thousands of Phoenix-area students attending Title I schools,” said Dr. Beth Maloney, Executive Director of Act One.
The VR field trip experience, also known as Arts Immersion™, is designed to provide a 360° immersive visual and audio journey for fifth- through 12th-grade students across the state. Thanks to virtual reality headsets and educator-built content, more than 31,000 students in Arizona have participated in this unique experience since its launch in 2021. The program is provided to Title I schools at no cost.
This grant is part of the Fall 2025 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.