On November 17, 2011, student musicians from Baldi Middle School had the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal of the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra. Hear about their experience in this video clip!
The Latest
January 13, 2012
VIDEO CLIP: Young musicians visit the Philadelphia Orchestra
November 23, 2011
PECO becomes newest ArtsRising supporter
A new public service announcement, produced by PECO, features the rhythms and beats of the new step dance team at Dimner Beeber Middle School. PECO is the newest supporter of ArtsRising and has adopted an entire ArtsZone community.
The Ed Fund and ArtsRising thank PECO for their support as we continue working to provide high quality arts education to students in Philadelphia.
Listen to the PSA here: Step It Up!
November 2, 2011
ArtsRising partner Fleisher Art Memorial receives award from the White House
We are very proud of our partner, Fleisher Art Memorial, for being recognized with the president's National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. Fleisher is one of 12 after school and community programs nationwide that will be honored, from a pool of 471 original applicants. In addition to the honor, the center will receive a $10,000 grant.
Michelle Obama will be presenting the award to 16-year-old Zulmarie Nazario, who is accepting the award on behalf of Fleisher. Zulmarie has been actively involved in the Teen Lounge, a program that allows high school students to come together to talk about and make art with each other and other artists. Teen Lounge, one of Fleisher's four programs to be honored for engaging the youth in the arts through community initiatives, is an opportunity for students to be creative and express themselves with likeminded peers.
This is a wonderful example of the kind of arts education programming that is so important for Philadelphia kids.
Left: Mayor Michael Nutter speaking to an audience of children and Fleisher supporters.
Right: Zulmarie Nazario and Executive Director of Fleisher Art Memorial Matt Braun speaking via Skype with Michael Nutter.
October 18, 2011
ArtsRising in the community at CAFe2011
ArtsRising mixed and mingled with the community at CAFe 2011 at the Crane Arts Center on Sunday, Oct. 16. Over 30 arts and cultural organizations set up tables with arts & crafts, activities and information. Live music filled the afternoon and food trucks parked outside on the beautiful fall Sunday. See more photos from the event here!
October 5, 2011
ArtsRising engages with the Philadelphia community at City Hall
This has been an exciting Week for ArtsRising! On Monday, we co-hosted the public at a lively interactive panel discussion at the City Hall Art Gallery entitled “The Changing Face of Arts Education,” which was attended by more than 50 educators, artists, policy makers and philanthropists. According to panelist Dr. Dennis Creedon of the Philadelphia School District Office of Academic Support and Enrichment, “Without the arts, kids don’t have the opportunity to self discover. The arts give communities something to celebrate.”
On Tuesday, ArtsRising Director Varissa McMickens – recently named one of Philadelphia’s top Creative Connectors – participated in a press conference at City Hall's Conversation Hall to promote the upcoming annual CAFe Community Arts Festival 2011 on Sunday, October 16. CAFe emerges as a partnership of ArtsRising, InLiquid, Crane Arts and Kensington South Neighborhood Advisory Council to bring arts and environmental organizations directly to the Kensington community.
October 3, 2011
Varissa McMickens named Creative Connector by Leadership Philadelphia
Last week, Varissa McMickens was honored as one of Philadelphia's 76 Creative Connectors by Leadership Philadelphia and WHYY/NewsWorks, for her work directing ArtsRising.
The 76 Creative Connectors are "entrepreneurial professionals with an agenda for action, who use art, culture and design to build community and economic vitality." These leaders were identified through an online survey, facilitated through Leadership Philadelphia.
The Connectors project began in 2006 to recognize and highlight arts and cultural leaders in the Philadelphia region. Varissa joins a list of distinguished professionals who work to show the value of arts to the community and inspire others to follow their lead.
> Read more about the Creative Connectors project here
September 7, 2011
ArtsRising presents panel discussion at the 2011 Keystone Weekend
On September 24, 2011, ArtsRising Director Varissa McMickens will present a panel discussion entitled "Passion, Power, and Success: The Urgency, Relevancy and Necessity of Arts Education" at the 2011 Keystone Weekend in Hershey, PA.
This session, facilitated and designed by ArtsRising, will address the powerfully engaging nature of the arts, and the growing body of research and data that link the passion of arts-based learning to academic and personal success in life. The audience will include innovative leaders from a variety of disciplines such as business, government, academia, the arts, finance, sports and entertainment.
The panel will include the following speakers:
- Varissa McMickens (Director at ArtsRising, Philadelphia)
- John Esposito (WEA Corp. President and CEO, President of Warner Music Nashville)
- Jamie Kasper (Associate Director at Arts Education, Pittsburgh)
- H. Bernard Hall (Doctoral Candidate, Temple University, Philadelphia)
September 2, 2011
Keep up to date on ArtsRising at www.myartsrising.org
ArtsRising has launched its own website, at www.myartsrising.org!
On the new website, you can learn about ArtsRising, find out how you can get involved, see photos, and more! All news and updates about ArtsRising and the ArtsZones can be found on the new website.
July 1, 2011
ArtsRising included in a new survey of national arts education model programs
ArtsRising has been included in a new survey of national arts education model programs! As part of the background research for the Chattanooga/Hamilton County Cultural Plan, WolfBrown has compiled best practice information from programs in arts and cultural education from around the country that are generally considered national models, and ArtsRising made the cut.
January 21, 2011
ArtsRising Helps Beeber Students Prepare for PSSA
Through support from ArtsRising, students attending Dimner Beeber Middle School’s Saturdays Road to Academic Proficiency (RTAP) are participating in an exciting hands-on project with Spiral Q Puppet Theater.
Spiral Q is collaborating with teachers, students, and parents on a multi-disciplinary service learning project. Students will collaboratively create larger scale puppets and make individual DIY puppets.
The main goal of the Saturday RTAP program is to prepare students for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), set to start on March 14th.