Press Releases

ArtsRising Presents ArtSee

Stetson Charter School Opens its Classrooms to Illustrate ArtsRising’s Impact on Quality Public Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jenifer Trachtman 215-665-1400, ext 3309 jtrachtman@philaedfund.org
Renato Lajara 215-291-4720 rennylajara@verizon.net

Philadelphia, PA - ArtsRising presents “ArtSee” on Friday, December 10, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. at Stetson Charter School. The event is designed to give members of the press and supporters of ArtsRising a firsthand look at Stetson, and the impact ArtsRising is making on the school. The school-based event will include a visit to classrooms and conversations with Principal Renato Lajara, as well as teachers, students, and artist residents.

“We are so thrilled to offer our supporters the opportunity to experience the excitement, energy and creativity of our ArtsZone model,” says Varissa McMickens, Director of ArtsRising. “Through our partnership with the Stetson Middle School and with the School District of Philadelphia, we are seeing students, teachers, principals, teaching artists, and parents work together and engage in quality arts learning.”

ArtsRising offers the promise of high quality education by empowering administrators, teachers, and the community-at-large to engage children and youth in the arts through participation, instruction and performance. ArtsRising also educates the community about the invaluable concepts taught by the arts and exposes families to arts-related activities by providing hands on learning, development and appreciation for the arts.

An integral part of the ArtsRising model is the “ArtsZone.” ArtsZones are geographical areas anchored by schools that are linked to their surrounding neighborhoods and arts resources in the communities and the larger city. Through its ArtsZones, ArtsRising strengthens and builds thriving communities by helping to establish creative coalitions of youth, artists, educators, parents and local leaders that celebrate each neighborhood’s identity, diversity and vitality. ArtsRising currently has five ArtsZones, including Stetson Charter School.

“Being chosen by ArtsRising to be an ArtsZone school has given the Stetson Charter School an amazing opportunity to fulfill our vision of a high quality education, which includes the arts,” says Principal Lajara. “I believe the arts are extremely important to the success of our students. ArtsRising has been able to connect us with a variety of arts organizations and cultural resources in the city. These arts organizations have engaged students’ creativity and need for self-exploration. We feel very fortunate to be involved in this wonderful initiative to strengthen our school and community.”

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ArtsRising is a bridge to connect all children in Greater Philadelphia through schools and neighborhoods to the city’s diverse arts and cultural community and a high-quality education inclusive of the arts to prepare young people for success in school and in life. A collaborative initiative, ArtsRising is lead by a partnership between the Philadelphia Education Fund, Public Citizens for Children and Youth and Fleisher Art Memorial. To learn more about ArtsRising visit: myartsrising.org.

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