With an unwavering dedication to increased awareness and funding for arts education and a passion for art and the creative process, Sara Hickman provides a unique and powerful voice for women, her generation and the value and importance of the arts in school. It is no wonder more than 30 Texas music legends including Willie Nelson, Rhett Miller, Shawn Colvin, Robert Earl Keen and dozens more have come together to both pay tribute and add to her philanthropic endeavors with The Best of Times. Sales of this compilation CD, available nationwide TODAY, August 23, 2011, will benefit Theatre Action Project (TAP), a non-profit that brings art, music and theatre to Central Texas schools.

The 38-track double disc project was inspired by a recent slash in arts funding by Texas State Legislature. “I wanted to utilize my position as the Official State Musician of Texas to promote families being creative together,” says Hickman. “Many times this starts with children bringing home ideas they learn at school.”

The compilation CD was created to raise funds for TAP and help the organization take the arts and theatre back into the schools. Hickman goes on to say, “I knew thousands and thousands of Texas children were missing out on what art, music, theater, dance and writing can bring to their lives.” Hickman’s goal is to raise $250,000 for TAP and share her story with Texas state legislature on Arts Day in an effort to have arts funding fully reinstate in Texas schools.

About Theatre Action Project (TAP):

A non-profit, TAP is made up of professionally trained artists and educators that work in partnership with schools and communities to lead unique and engaging arts programs which allow young people to learn critical life skills, gain tools for creative expression and have successful experiences that build self-esteem and confidence