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Bama
Works Fund Of David Matthews Band Supports University Of Virginia
Art Museum Youth Programs June 17, 2002-- The University of Virginia Art Museum has received a $10,000 grant from the Bama Works Fund of the Dave Matthews Band to support its Early Visions program and 2003 Summer Arts Camp. The fund is administered by the Charlottesville-Albemarle Community Foundation. "This is the first time that the Bama Works Fund has supported our youth programs," said Jill Hartz, museum director. "We’re thrilled to have these much-needed funds. They confirm the value of hands-on educational activities throughout the year for middle- and high-school students who would not otherwise be in a position to enjoy learning in a museum environment." Each year, the museum raises nearly all the costs needed to support its educational programs for youth and families in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. Nearly 5,000 students in grades K-12 visit the museum annually as part of their school programs, often as part of Virginia’s Standards of Learning. Others participate in the annual Writer’s Eye competition and family workshops. Two of the museum’s youth programs — Early Visions and Summer Arts Camp — are designed to provide high-quality hands-on arts programs as well as alternative learning environments for at-risk students. Now entering its fifth year the Early Visions program is set up for high school students to meet in the museum for one hour a week during the spring semester. They work with artists, strengthen their visual literacy and artistic skills, are mentored by University student docents, and are encouraged to begin planning for college and careers. This summer, an Early Visions student will serve as an assistant and mentor to youth in the Summer Arts Camp. In 2001, the museum initiated a pilot three-week Summer Arts Camp, "From Stela to Stella." Funded in part by the Charlottesville-Albemarle Community Foundation and Philip Morris U.S.A., the camp offered high-quality arts programming and mentoring to nearly 60 middle—school students in the city and county, more than half of whom were identified as at-risk. Supported by the Museum’s Young Friends group, the Thomas Piper Jr. Education Endowment and Carol Angle, a museum advisory board member, this year’s three-session, six-week camp, directed by Jennifer Van Winkle, has expanded to include 90 middle- and high-school students. Focusing on the special exhibition "Sam Abell: The Photographic Life," camp participants will study photography and work with practicing artists. "Thanks to this early support from the Bama Works Fund, we can begin planning our 2003 summer camp," said Hartz. "We have an exciting sculptural installation planned for that period, and we would like to add movement and music to next summer’s program of activities." The museum’s goal is to expand youth programs throughout the year, in anticipation of the increasing range of activities that will be possible in the planned new museum facility. "We aim to serve more students, provide more scholarships, offer field trips and strengthen both our curriculum and mentoring services," said Hartz. " We are committed to being an integral cultural and educational resource for our community." Contacts: Jill Hartz, museum director, (434) 924-3592; or Jane Ford, (434) 924-4298 |
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FOR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact the Office
of University Relations at (434) 924-7116. Television reporters
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