$600K Committed To Revive Mayo Performing Arts Center's School

MORRISTOWN, NJ — There's new life at the Mayo Performing Arts Center's Performing Arts School. The Morris County Board of Commissioners committed $600,000 to rebuild and re-establish MPAC's educational programs and school, which served 40,000 students and families in the region before the pandemic.

The commissioners allocated the money from the American Rescue Plan. The funding will help MPAC recover from financial losses associated with the pandemic, according to CEO Allison Larena.

MPAC's education programs serve schoolchildren, adults and families at the center in Morristown and locations around the region. Tens of thousands of students and their families are involved in theater classes, performances, school-time shows, workshops, seminars, student recognition programs and enrichment opportunities.

"About 80 percent of the students who benefit annually from MPAC’s education and outreach programs are from right here in Morris County, including the acclaimed ‘Miracle Project,’ which has been opening doors to the creative potential of children with autism and other special needs," said County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw. "The work of MPAC and the Performing Arts School must continue."

Until the pandemic forced a reduction in MPAC activity and left many programs struggling to operate virtually, the education program had an increasing presence throughout the region.

Talent from the program includes Zion Pearson, a 12-year-old from Morristown, who sang and spoke in support of MPAC educational programs when the funding was announced.

"Young Zion Pearson demonstrated for everyone today the type of talent being nurtured by MPAC’s educational programs and the opportunities those programs afford to young people throughout Morris County," said County Commissioner Deborah Smith. "From visual arts and music, to poetry and performance field trips, these programs enhance the lives of thousands of adults and young people alike each year."

Click here to learn more about MPAC and the Performing Arts School.

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