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Kennedy Center expands arts education program to Springfield MO
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is expanding a program to ensure the arts remain part of education in the Springfield (Mo.) School District. The Washington-based arts center will link local arts groups in Springfield with the district to help teach students in grades K-8. Organizers announced their plans on Tuesday.
Springfield is the second city for the program. It began in Sacramento, Calif., in October. The idea is to sustain arts education in an affordable way as schools struggle with budget cuts. The participants will draft long-range plans specific to each city to ensure all students have access to music, theater and the visual arts.
The Kennedy Center is accepting applications from other school systems across the country.
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Edited news release from Springfield School District:
Superintendent Norm Ridder will announce during the school board meeting on Tuesday evening a new initiative that will help Springfield develop a long-range arts education plan to enhance opportunities for students in grades K-8. The school board meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the assembly room at Kraft Administrative Center, 940 N. Jefferson Ave.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has chosen Springfield as a partner city for Any Given Child, a program that will use existing resources of the district, along with those of local arts organizations and the Kennedy Center, to create a plan for arts education specific to Springfield.
Any Given Child seeks to bring access, balance, and equity to each child’s arts education, using an affordable model that combines the resources of the school district, local arts groups, and the Kennedy Center. With the assistance of expert consultation services provided by Kennedy Center staff and other professionals, community leaders develop a long-range plan for arts education that is tailor-made for the Springfield school district and community.
“Expertise available through Any Given Child will be invaluable to our district and our entire community as we work toward the goal of enhancing arts education offerings throughout our community,” Ridder said.
SPS has strong partnerships with numerous private and public arts organizations, which collaborated to apply for Kennedy Center assistance through the Any Given Child program. Among those involved include the Arts Programming Sustainability Initiative, Springfield Regional Arts Council, City of Springfield and Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce.