Nashville, Tenn. - 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.
For more information visit www.sarahickman.com.

About Sara Hickman:
In addition to her work with Theatre Action Project, Sara has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for: the Dallas Dance for Life; House the Homeless; Bryan's House; AAIM; PETA; Amnesty International; homeless shelters, SPCA, Mothers' Milk Bank, TCADP; visited Romania to deliver clothing, money and supplies to orphans; and personally raised more than $50,000 for the Hill Country Youth Ranch in Ingram, Texas, a safe haven for severely abused children. The HCYR then opened the Sara Hickman Children’s Fund, which accepts matching grants and buys musical instruments, dance shoes, and art supplies for the children of the ranch. Sara's involvement in music and art therapy continued through ARTS (Artistic and Recreational Therapies), leading her to perform for children in burn units, AIDS and stroke victims, and in psychiatric units, where she utilized her talents and love to help with the healing process. Lastly, in 2004, Sara was the National Ambassador for Half Price Books visiting hospitals and schools across the U.S., helping to promote literacy where she performed and read to children.
Sara Hickman has produced over 15 albums (for adults and children) throughout her career and has appeared several times on both VH-1 and NBC’s “Tonight Show.” She has won numerous awards for her music and humanitarian efforts, including first place in the USA Film Festival for her self-produced independent video, “Joy,” about a homeless woman she befriended. This year, Hickman will star in a new film, When Angels Sing, based on the book by local Renaissance man, Turk Pipkin. The all-star cast includes Harry Connick, Jr., Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, and Hickman’s daughter Lili.

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.