Whether it’s singing, painting, acting or another creative activity, the arts can have a big – and lasting – impact on children. Opportunities for creative expression can promote individuality, bolster self confidence and improve overall academic performance.

Bringing The Arts Into Schools

Unum connects thousands of children to the arts by supporting organizations devoted to creating vibrant communities.

Thanks to the company, students from South High in Worcester will have a chance to visit the Worcester Art Museum free of charge. Students from the high school also visited Unum to sell their artwork that was printed on note cards. The cards quickly sold out, helping the students raise money for art supplies at school.

Also in Worcester, the company sponsored the visits of two authors at South High during National Literacy Week. Ed Gerty, who wrote Combinations, read his novel about taking responsibility and achieving high goals to 300 ninth-grade students. And Helen Frost, who wrote Keesha’s House, read her story about teenagers overcoming adversity to 300 tenth-grade students.

In Chattanooga, Unum sponsored more than 180 performances by the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera for students at area schools. The company’s partnership with the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga gives free admission for all K-12 education groups, allowing 15,000 students in the region to experience the museum.

Each year, Colonial Life supports the Picasso Project, a statewide student art competition for students in grades 6-12. Proceeds benefit Children’s Trust of South Carolina, whose mission is to prevent child abuse, neglect and unintentional injuries by promoting healthy, nurturing relationships between children and adults. Colonial Life also supports organizations such as the Columbia City Ballet, Columbia Museum of Art and South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra.

Giving People Of All Ages Access To The Arts

Children aren’t the only ones who should be exposed to the arts. In Carlow, Ireland, Unum donated €7,000 to help provide a hearing aid program for the new Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre. This program allows visitors with hearing aids to switch to a channel where they will be able to dial directly into the venue’s sound system. The hearing aid loop not only gives the hearing impaired the ability to clearly hear presentations, it also enriches their lives as they experience art from around the globe.

Unum made a contribution to the Worcester Art Museum to help the museum with three special events ranging from Family Day at the museum to a unique exhibit, "Who Shot Rock & Roll," which chronicles the music genre with photography.