The Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, has awarded $2,015 in mini-grants to Ithaca City District School (ICSD) projects that will reach 865 students. Funded projects include support for an Ithaca High School visual arts project collaboration with an international orphan organization, a Lehman Alternative Community School (LACS) local composer project, a Boynton Middle School international composer project shared with all secondary schools, a Northeast Elementary School Vitamin L concert, and Ithaca High independent senior projects.
For example, Australian composer, Jodie Blackshaw, will work with all band members from DeWitt Middle School, Boynton Middle School, Ithaca High School and LACS in rehearsals, group discussions, one-on-one student composer lessons, and preparation for a performance of her music.Mary Ann Erickson, FABG’s Grants Committee Chair notes, “The Grants Committee is excited that these projects connect teachers and their students with resources in the community that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.”
Grant funds are made possible through FABG performance booklet ad sales and donations. The boosters produce performance booklet programs for middle and high school concerts and plays, totaling over thirty events each year.
The next mini-grant deadline is Fall 2015. Email president@fabgithaca.org or check the Fine Arts Booster Group website at www.fabgithaca.org for an application.An affiliate of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), the FABG works in partnership with the ICSD to advocate, support and celebrate all the arts for all the kids. The Fine Arts Boosters strive for increased student access and participation, and for equity in the arts programs. The boosters believe the arts – music, dance and visual, literary and theater arts – are a central part of every child’s public school education. Visit www.fabgithaca.org.
IPEI is a not-for-profit organization that believes the education of every ICSD student is enhanced through community connections and support facilitated by IPEI for students and teachers through engagement, collaboration, gifts, and grants. Visit www.ipei.org.
Ongoing FABG initiatives include mini-grants to teachers, printing the performance booklets for ICSD secondary schools’ concerts and drama productions; fundraising; Play It Again, Ithaca (collection of used musical instruments and funds to purchase new instruments for use in the schools); and various advocacy efforts in support of arts in the schools.
FABG is open to all K-12 staff, parents, students and community members and is concerned with all arts areas. Join the group and volunteer to work on goals – communication, advocacy, grant giving, fundraising, community connections, and instrument recycling.
FABG Spring 2015 Mini-Grant List:
Greg McQuade, Northeast Elementary, music, $500
A Vitamin L concert and associated lessons for the entire schoolMichael Allen, Boynton Middle School, music, $500
Australian Composer, Jodie Blackshaw, will work with all band members from DeWitt Middle School, Boynton Middle School, Ithaca High School and LACS in rehearsals, group discussions, one-on-one student composer lessons and preparation for a performance of her music from October 12 – 16, 2015.
A Vitamin L concert and associated lessons for the entire schoolMichael Allen, Boynton Middle School, music, $500
Australian Composer, Jodie Blackshaw, will work with all band members from DeWitt Middle School, Boynton Middle School, Ithaca High School and LACS in rehearsals, group discussions, one-on-one student composer lessons and preparation for a performance of her music from October 12 – 16, 2015.
Ann-Marie Thayer, Lehman Alternative Community School, music, $500
LACS Concert Band will work with local composer, Bill Calhoun, to prepare and perform one of his compositions.
Carol Spence, Ithaca High School art, $315
The Memory Project is a unique initiative in which art students create portraits (drawings, paintings, digital art, etc) for children and teens around the world who have been neglected, orphaned, or disadvantaged.Alexis Lord, Ithaca High School, multi-arts, $500
The grant will assist WISE students in their independent senior projects and presentations.
The grant will assist WISE students in their independent senior projects and presentations.