The Arts at the University of Virginia is dedicated to building on innovative research and fostering inspired expression that equips us for the future.
The Arts Mentors program pairs 27 U.Va. students with 27 largely underserved third and fourth grade students from a local elementary school to develop mentoring relationships and provide both groups of students exposure to different styles of fine and performing arts available in the local area. The project is a joint effort among the Arts departments at U.Va., Student Affairs, Burnley-Moran Elementary School, and several local arts organizations.
The arts education component is led by Associate Professor of Music Bonnie Gordon. Burnley-Moran teacher, and Curry 2010 alumna Rachel Savoy provides guidance on working with young children and particularly with underresourced children. A team of three graduate student program coordinators supervise the undergraduates and serve as "model mentors." Director of Student Affairs Community Engagement Julie Caruccio provides training and supervision of all students, undergraduate and graduate, with specific attention given to engaging with the community.
The Arts Mentors program is in its second year with fundung coming from multiple sources. In its first year it was funded largely through a Mead grant for faculty-student engagement; in its second year it was funded by Student Affairs with support from the departments of Art, Drama and Music, and the Office of Diversity and Equity.
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