Schools with Performing Arts Reach Kids Schools » SPARK SPARK is a multi-year commitment for schools with no arts teachers or arts programming and for which at least 90% of its students receive free or reduced lunch. Overseen by Courtney J. Boddie, Vice President, Education and School Engagement, New Victory SPARK is a model of how to infuse arts-deprived school communities with live performing arts and arts education. By leveraging its existing school engagement programs—live performances by international arts companies, a highly trained ensemble of Teaching Artists and smartly-designed classroom curricula—New Victory embeds performing arts in SPARK schools through teacher professional development, classroom workshops and invaluable resources. Over 3 years, New Victory SPARK school students saw 9 live performances, engaged in 45 performing arts workshops and increased their creative skills in circus, puppetry, theater, dance and more. Specially selected New Victory SPARK Teaching Artists serve as both instructors and administrative liaisons so that the program can integrate and function as seamlessly as possible within each school community. SPARK’s Success and Challenges Read Courtney’s reflection on how the intensive and sustained relationships with SPARK partners have redefined our comfort zone. Read more New Victory SPARK school communities went from zero arts to Students seeing 3 shows and participating in 15 show-inspired workshops a year Teachers participating in arts-based professional development Families joining their SPARK students in seeing shows at the theater So far, New Victory SPARK has been in 9 schools. Due to the program’s success, most New Victory SPARK schools are now New Victory School Partners and the Theater continues its outreach to arts-deprived communities. For more information, please contact New Victory Education.
