Drip Drop, Hip Hop: Engaging Children in Water Efficiency by Regional Water Authority May 1, 2024 Member Submitted News William Land Elementary School in Sacramento was flowing with excitement on April 22 as children engaged in a unique blend of art and education during the Earth Day performance of Drip Drop, Hip Hop: A Journey Through the American River Watershed. Developed collaboratively by the NorCal School of the Arts (NorCal Arts) and the Regional Water Authority (RWA), the event showcased a three-person play aimed at educating children and families about water efficiency and caring for the American River Watershed. Sacramento Councilmember Rick Jennings shared his insights on Earth Day during the event, saying, “Each individual’s action, no matter how small, is a testament to the collective power we hold in safeguarding our planet. Let Earth Day be a reminder that our efforts, together, can shape a sustainable future for all.” Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, who starred in the play as the narrator, highlighted the transformative power of art-based education, saying, “Through art, the Drip Drop, Hip Hop program inspires children about the importance of saving water, while at the same time reinforcing the significance of being a leader and taking action to preserve our water resources and beautiful rivers for years to come.” The event, attended by 250 elementary school children, also marked the unveiling of a new water efficiency Public Service Announcement (PSA) featuring local children spreading the water efficiency message. The PSA is available at BeWaterSmart.info/dripdrophiphop. “We’re grateful for the generous grant funding of $300,000 from the City of Sacramento’s Capital Region Creative Corps and the California Arts Council, which has made this project possible,” said NorCal Arts Executive Director, Michele Hillen-Noufer. “Drip Drop, Hip Hop exemplifies our commitment to using the arts as a catalyst for education and empowerment.” “This Earth Day performance is just one example of our ongoing efforts to reach out to communities and encourage water efficiency,” said RWA Manager of Government Relations Ryan Ojakian. “Through programs like Drip Drop, Hip Hop, we aim to empower children, our future water stewards, to champion water efficiency throughout their lives.” About the Northern California School of the Arts and Regional Water Authority NorCal School of the Arts (NorCal Arts) utilizes the arts to educate our community and address relevant issues facing young people such as mental wellness, violence prevention and water conservation. NorCal serves students in Title 1 schools in Sacramento and Yolo Counties. More than 10,000 students and their families and over 400 teachers in K-12 public schools are reached by NorCal’s programming every year, making it one of the most comprehensive arts education programs in our region. Learn more at norcalsota.org. The Regional Water Authority (RWA) is a joint powers authority representing 20 water providers serving 2 million people in the greater Sacramento region. Formed in 2001, its primary mission is to help its members protect and enhance the reliability, availability, affordability, and quality of water resources. Learn more at BeWaterSmart.info and rwah2o.org. This activity is funded in part by the California Arts Council, a State agency.