Arts in Education grants totaling $4,430 from the Starkville Area Arts Council were awarded to teachers to fund arts related projects. Applications were accepted last fall, and any teacher or administrator was eligible to apply. The grants are used for innovative projects incorporating the visual arts, music, theater, dance or literature in the curriculum.
Classroom grants of up to $200 were awarded to classroom teachers for projects that affect only one class of students. General grants of up to $500 were awarded for projects that affect several classes, the entire school, or that may affect students for many years.
Awards were made this year to R. J. Morgan (Starkville High School) for the “The Art of Reporting,” Nicole Dozier (Armstrong Middle School) for “The Young Author’s Book Project, Libby Pollard (Ward Stewart Elementary School) for “Stepping into Art: Mosaic Stepping Stones,” Krista Vowell (Starkville Academy) for the “Little Shop of Horrors” musical, Robin Pigg (Starkville Academy) for “Calligraphy Writing,” Cindy Gilmer (East Oktibbeha County High School) for “Air Brushing” and a museum field trip.
Grants also went to Susan Allen (East Oktibbeha County High School) for “How to Write a Graphic Novel,” Susan Allen (West Oktibbeha County High School) for “The Role of Art in World History,” Marian Wright (East Oktibbeha County High School) for “Memories of Miracles,” Denise Rowan (Starkville Christian School) for “Art Across the Board,” Katie Wallace (Homeschool Music Cooperative) for “Mississippi Home Education Day Performance,” Antoinette Jenkins (Mississippi State) for “One Million Bones Project,” and Clara G. Ware (Girl Scout Troop 426) for “Dancing: Enjoying the pleasure, power and art of movement.”
“It is so rewarding to see students get turned on to the arts as a result of the grants,” said Ellen Boles, chair of the Arts in Education Grants committee. A committee of eight current or former educators selected the winners. Applications for the next academic year will be accepted in the fall. Application forms will be available at that time on the organization’s website, starkvillearts.org, or at the SAAC office at Suite 18, 101 S. Lafayette St.
The Starkville Area Arts Council relies on membership dues, patron contributions, and several events to raise the funds for the education grants, the arts scholarships, the community arts grants, and other community arts activities. Grants from the City of Starkville, Oktibbeha County, the Mississippi Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts help to support these programs.
To learn more about the SAAC, visit starkvillearts.org or call 662-324-3080.
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