An arts education charity crippled by the economic downturn is still at risk of closing its doors after only raising $5,000 in the past two weeks.Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation made a public appeal for $300,000 last month after its funding and donations had been seriously slashed during the economic crisis. The charity, which needs to raise the cash before the end of the month, may have to cut some of its art programmes for children, lay off staff or close completely if more sponsors don’t come forward.Founder Fiona Rodriguez Roberts said several people donated after the appeal ran in a recent edition of The Royal Gazette. But the charity, which has only managed to raise $5,000, still has a long way to go and already lost a teacher who needed more “job stability”.Mrs Rodriguez Roberts said staff had gone “above and beyond” to figure our new ideas and come up with extra classes to raise funds.“That’s what is so frustrating is we have this fantastic body of teachers and staff and we are putting on quality art education classes and we are suddenly making steps forward to teach more children and it may all come to an end.“It’s extremely stressful not knowing if we are going to have the money for supplies. It has been very trying.“When I found out (the difficult situation we were in) I was told my teachers had all come together and were ready to continue and were all on board and that was encouraging and a great inspiration because without them we can’t continue.”She said the charity was currently talking with organisations to come up with the cash and thinking of renting out part of the building.But she renewed her appeal to the public for help.“People think that they cant help because it is such a big number but every donation of $25 or $50 helps. We have more than 65,000 people on this Island. It doesn’t take many to get to $300,000.”When asked if she believed they could raise the money on time, Mrs Rodriguez Roberts said: “I have to believe that is possible because I believe it is a foundation that has to continue and that we are doing work that is important and beneficial.”The foundation was set up four years ago in the old Elliot School in Devonshire to give children, particularly those from poor backgrounds, an opportunity to express themselves through art.Such programmes are believed to help young people develop language skills, deal with their emotions and learn about diversity and acceptance, said Mrs Rodriguez Roberts.In addition to running a programme in Victor Scott, Paget Primary and Gilbert Institute called ‘Art and Me’, children as young as 18 months can take part in a ‘Hands on Art’ project.People are encouraged to make a donation of $25 or more to the Bank of Butterfield account number 20006060807509100 or call the foundation on 542-9000.