Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, October 06, 2008

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SCAPA fifth-graders in Beth Randolph's social studies class learned to rap the main points of the Bill of Rights.

With an inventive rap recounting the Bill of Rights and a charming solo of the 1854 song “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” SCAPA Bluegrass fifth-graders illustrated a point: Arts and learning are intrinsically connected.

“When our kids are exposed to the arts, academic achievement rises right with it,” Superintendent Stu Silberman said Thursday, citing the outstanding CATS scores recorded by students at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts.

Advocates gathered at SCAPA to hear an update of the African American Forum’s Arts Partnership initiative, which invests in literary, performing and visual arts experiences for children in grades K-5.

“The arts are a phenomenal vehicle for getting kids engaged with their studies,” said Silberman, who recalled noticing years ago that many of his own physics and chemistry students participated in the school orchestra. While daily curriculum and after-school opportunities are limited, “by having partnerships like this, we can affect a great number of kids.”

The news conference culminated with the announcement of two more community contributions to the Arts Partnership program: $5,000 from the W. Rogers Co. and $10,000 from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky.

“People who are engaged in the arts are well-rounded, catch on quickly and make great employees,” said Warren Rogers, president of the general contracting company, which builds waste-water treatment plants.

The representative from Toyota’s Georgetown plant also talked about how the arts can help shape employees. Grappling with construction paper in elementary school can teach important life lessons, Toyota’s Diane Newcomb explained, including how to plan precisely, be competitive, solve problems and envision results. The arts can also build pride in one’s work as well as team spirit, she said, adding, “It takes more than one to make it all come together.”

The host SCAPA students, using basic costumes and small props, illustrated that point, too, as they spread out in front of the stage to demonstrate their grasp of the U.S. Constitution in song.

John E. Cole III, president and CEO of the African American Forum, reiterated the Arts Partnership’s commitment to Fayette County students – citing the schools that received grants in February and unveiling the group’s new online application process. Cole said by early November, the grant proposal guidelines and application will be available at http://www.aafinc.com/. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31, and the recipients will be announced in late February.

Last winter, the Arts Partnership provided eight schools with grants totaling $18,000, and the African American Forum committed to a total donation of $100,000 over the next six years. The second round of grant installments will be given out this semester, with the rest disbursed by the end of school. To receive full funding, schools must describe how they are using the funds, with the number of students benefiting and the anticipated results. They also must provide a written follow-up report, which can include student essays, photographs or a DVD.

Jeffrey Hale, an arts and humanities teacher at Harrison Elementary, spoke Thursday about how the arts grant was seed money at his school. Harrison used its allotment for a six-week after-school program that culminated with an art exhibit, a dance performance and a play for the community. Now, Hale said, twice as many students are interested in the arts clubs, which have expanded to year-round, and more than 200 people turned out for Harrison’s first Arts Night this fall.

Besides SCAPA and Harrison, the other grant recipients were Cardinal Valley Elementary, Johnson (now William Wells Brown Elementary), Booker T. Washington Academy, Northern Elementary School, Russell Cave Elementary School and Linlee (now Sandersville Elementary School).