The Latest

ArtsRising Supports Theatre Alliance's 2010 Barrymore Awards

Varissa McMickens, Director of ArtsRising, was invited to participate in the selection process for the 2010 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, sponsored by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

The Theatre Alliance, which is responsible for promoting awareness of and supporting Philadelphia's theatre community, holds the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre to recognize artists for excellence and innovation while  increasing awareness of the richness of the local theatre community.

McMickens, who served on the Barrymore Education Award selection panel, recognizes the quality of arts education work being done by theatres and theatre artists in the region. "This award promotes the participation of theatres and theatre artists beyond the stage and into the community by providing innovative theatre and educational experiences for underserved citizens," McMickens noted in a recent press release about the awards. "This is especially important for our children and youth…the artists and audiences of tomorrow."

The nominees for the 2010 Barrymore Awards were announced on August 2nd, during the Theatre Alliance's Annual Member meeting. The 2010 Barrymore Awards will take place on October 4th, at the Walnut Street Theatre.

> View the 2010 Barrymore Education Award nominees

> Learn more about the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia's Barrymore Awards

Local Student Responds to ArtsRising

"Together we can create great works of art."
-Precious Lee, 8th grade student

Samuel Reed, III recently published a blog post in the Philadelphia Public School Notebook that focused on Dimner Beeber Middle School's involvment with ArtsRising. It was recently announced that Beeber, along with 4 other public middle schools, was selected to serve as one of the inaugural ArtsZones hubs.

Reed's post  features a guest blog contribution from Precious Lee, an 8th grade student at Beeber Middle School. In her article, Lee summarizes the events of the ArtsRising launch while providing a personal insight into the importance of art in schools. "Art plays a significant role in kid’s development and learning process," Lee writes. "The arts help students learn how to work cooperatively and to believe in their talents. Art gives students a positive experience and allows them to learn the skills they need to be successful. Art and music education serve to broaden children's perspectives on life and help them become more well-rounded individuals."

> Read the complete article written by Precious Lee

ArtsRising in the News

On Sunday, April 4th, Varissa McMickens, Director of ArtsRising, was interviewed by Loraine Ballard Morrill, News and Community Affairs Director for Clear Channel Philadelphia.

During the interview, McMickens discussed how the arts can significantly impact the quality of life for students in the greater Philadelphia region. "The arts are a wonderful access point... to start to gain some understanding, to see and find some commom ground," McMickens notes. "ArtsRising is really about finding as many ways as possible for our youth to access their own creativity and to experience the arts, and to connect with one another with their communities, with other youth, and with adults who really care about them and what their life experiences will be."

The interview aired on Q102, Radio 104.5, My106.1, Power 99, and WDAS FM.

Listen to the complete interview below:

 

ArtsRising Holds Public Launch

On February 18th, Principal Michael J. Calderone and the students and staff of the Warren G. Harding Middle graciously served as hosts for the official launch of ArtsRising (Arts for Children and Youth). Student escorts welcomed guests, including representatives from the School District of Philadelphia, and members of Philadelphia’s arts and cultural and educational communities. Varissa McMickens, Director of ArtsRising served as the event’s emcee. Natalye Paquin, Kimmel Center Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and ArtsRising Steering Committee Chair,  thanked guests for their commitment to ArtsRising, particularly to members of the ArtsRising Steering Committee and its funders.

During the launch, the five schools selected to participate as the inaugural ArtsZone hubs were announced. The schools selected are:

CCA Baldi Middle School
Dimner Beeber Middle School
Warren G. Harding Middle School
John B. Stetson Middle School
Grover Washington Jr., Middle School

Students from several of the schools demonstrated the wide breadth of the arts thriving at their schools through music, poetry, dance, and musical performances.

Several members of the arts and cultural community, including Glenn Knapp, Executive Producing Director of Philadelphia Young Playwrights, offered celebratory remarks and reflected on the importance of integrating the arts into children’s lives. Bunmi Samuel spoke briefly on behalf of Jill Scott and Blues Babe Foundation, noting that the Grammy-winning singer and actor’s interest in ArtsRising is to connect kids to school through the arts so that they persist to graduation and to college.

Interim Chief Academic Officer Pamela Brown offered congratulatory remarks on behalf of the School District of Philadelphia.“The demands of the core curriculum make it difficult for the District to always focus on the arts,” Brown stated, “but this does not mean that the arts are not important. Indeed, they are integral to education, not as an add-on, but as a way to improve academic achievement.” Brown also went on to add that the School District of Philadelphia hired an unprecedented 100 additional art teachers and 100 additional music teachers this year, the biggest increase in nearly 40 years!

Both Gary Steuer, Chief Cultural Officer for the City of Philadelphia and Dr. Lori Shorr, Chief Education Officer for the City of Philadelphia, remarked on  how the arts have the ability to change lives.“When students say yes to the arts, they say no to other less desirable activities,” Shorr concluded. “If we don’t find a way to engage youth, especially in the middle years, they will be less persistent to high school graduation.”

To conclude the launch, guests were invited to leave their handprint on an ArtsRising banner which unveiled the new logo for the initiative. Each handprint represents a commitment to arts education and to the students of the greater Philadelphia region.

> Visit the brand new ArtsRising website

> Learn more about ArtsZones

Varissa McMickens joins ArtsRising

On September 14, 2009, Varissa McMickens began as the new ArtsRising Director. As Director, Ms. McMickens will utilize her experience in arts and education to further develop Arts Rising and to improve and expand access to arts education for children in the Greater Philadelphia Region.