Alexandria City Public Schools rolled out its new Center for the Arts, a K-12 media, visual and performing arts center, Wednesday night at in a three-hour part information session, part arts extravaganza.
The new center will serve students of all ages. It will not operate from a single location but rather is an initiative to support arts events for all students and enrich arts-related curriculum.
Wednesday’s event included nearly 20 musical, vocal, acting and dance performances, many from city school bands and choirs. About a dozen school officials, arts advocates and elected officials also addressed the crowd.
Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) connected the arts to larger global interests.
“The arts are our most potent weapon as humans to combat the elements of ignorance, bigotry and bullying that will always be part of the human condition,” Moran said. “Bullies on the world stage, that are otherwise known as military dictators, are most threatened by the arts, because they enable people to think independently and act freely.”
Alexandria Mayor William Euille told the crowd the program would be a “world class arts center” that would allow students, teachers and fellow community members “a deep understanding of the many ways in which all forms of art enrich human existence.”
“The experience will give these students a global perspective that they will then contribute to society through artistic innovation, creativity, determination and imagination,” Euille said.
Morton Sherman, ACPS superintendent, stressed the integral part arts play in education and humanity itself.
“Arts are basic,” he said. “They’re a part of who we are.”
Music, Sherman said, is a prime example. “Music makes us smile, music makes us feel good and brings us together as people,” he said.
Deputy Superintendent Madye Henson explained that the initiative would be implemented in three phases beginning with Wednesday night’s launch of the program. Next, the school system will partner with arts programs in the community and work with individual centers at select schools. Additionally, the center initiative will continue to be integrated into the school curriculum.
Shawn Thorpe, academic principal on assignment to the new center, also performed a solo vocal performance and served as master of ceremonies.
“The center will serve ACPS as a vehicle to help people find a vision of hope that every child yearns for and every adult works to protect,” Thorpe said.
