The Fine Arts Booster Group
The Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG) is a proud affiliate of IPEI. As an affiliate, the booster group has its own board of directors and committee organization, and works within IPEI’s not-for-profit structure in order to function as a tax-exempt group. FABG focuses on the shared IPEI mission of community connection and education support, with full focus on the arts.
FABG is open to all Ithaca City School District staff, parents, students and community members.
To find out more about FABG, click on this link www.fabgithaca.org.
To apply for a booster mini-grant, click on this link www.fabgithaca.org/receive.
To advertise in school performance booklets, click on this link www.fabgithaca.org/adpurchase.
To subscribe to our listserv, email FineArtsBoosters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
To donate an instrument, ask questions, share your ideas, or volunteer, email president@fabgithaca.org.
Mission:
Fine Arts Boosters support “all the arts for all the kids�?.
The Fine Arts Boosters support district programs and staff, and advocate for increased student access, participation and equity in the arts programs. Formed in 2001 as an affiliate of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI), the boosters believe the arts – music, dance and visual, literary and theater arts – are a central part of every child’s public school education.
Initiatives:
Ongoing FABG initiatives include production of performance booklets for all concerts and theatrical productions in the middle and high schools; fundraising; Play It Again, Ithaca, the collection of used musical instruments and monies to purchase new instruments for use in the schools; an information listserv and various advocacy efforts in support of arts in the schools.
Quick Facts:
Over 118 instruments donated to the Ithaca City School District
Over 200 projects funded
Over $100,000 donated to support arts education
History:
In 2000 Michael Allen, who was then Cayuga Heights Elementary Band teacher and is now middle school band teacher, noted a need for a music booster group due to the terrible state of the instrument inventory. ICSD Superintendent Dr. Judith Pastel supported the formation of a booster group including all the arts. Aided by Randy Ehrenberg, Assistant Superintendent; Holly Kazarinoff, TST BOCES Enrichment Coordinator; and volunteer facilitator Elayne Nicholas; an ad hoc group of parents, teachers and community members met to determine a group structure, draw up bylaws and form a first board. After a six-month discussion, the inaugural board led by first president Patti Nozell was anxious to begin organizing support for the arts. IPEI agreed to act as the non-profit umbrella for this new group, and work together in an affiliate relationship. The school year 2001-2002 marked the first year of operation for the Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG) and culminated in a fundraiser called Festival of Talents, a student, teacher and community member variety show at the State Theater and an art exhibit at Autumn Leaves Bookstore, featuring teachers’ art work.
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