Art Academy Program

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

The creation of the Arts Academy was necessitated by a lack of fine art programs in middle schools in Orange County, Florida. Economic realities caused the public school system to make some very hard choices. Fortunately, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners chose to continue to fund the After School Zone in all 28 middle school sites throughout Orange County. The Arts Academy is an add-on component of the After School Zone’s summer program, the Summer Zone. The Arts Academy is a curriculum-based arts program, which includes visual arts, dance, and theatrical arts. It has clearly defined goals, is collaborative in design, and is able to be replicated at other sites. Some of the Arts Academy goals include: providing students with an opportunity to explore and hone their interests and talents while encouraging them to strive for academic excellence; providing an educational environment that promotes students’ growth in preparing them to embark on successful future careers and highlighting the importance of serving others through community service; maintaining high educational and artistic standards; upholding a commitment to fostering an environment that is inclusive, diverse and supportive in welcoming students from all walks of life.