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December 2021
Message From Founder
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Where does the time go?!? It seems like just yesterday we were preparing for the start of the school year and now (BAM!) It's December! This fall has truly been a whirlwind of wonderfulness as returning to in-person classes has strengthened the meaning of community for all of us here at ArtSparks. We’ve delighted at reconnecting with each other, our school partners, and most of all our students to work towards our culminating performances. Yes, we are planning end-of-the-year shows that will take place in person, but -also yes- we have back-up plans in place to ensure that no matter what is happening out there in the world, our students will have the opportunity to shine. I invite you to join us on a journey to discover some of our most creative thinkers as we work toward producing IMAGINE THAT!, a show highlighting innovations that stemmed from what some people labeled “crazy ideas”. Spoiler alert: those crazy ideas have turned into some of our most important inventions!
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Wishing you all the best in 2022!
Kara
Ps. Follow us on social media for super exciting sneak peeks of the show in progress!
A Message from our Founder
SAVE THE DATES
Mr. Simon Says
Program
Highlights
ArtSparks is excited to announce our 2022 performance schedule! Join us for one, several or all of these exciting opportunities to see our phenomenal dancers take the stage!
(Note: Dates, times, and locations are subject to change due to Covid….check in with our social media and website to stay in the loop for updates to performances!)
Ready, Spark, Kindergarten: A Celebration of Learning
Dates: January 10, 11, 12, 13, 2022
Location: Firestone High School and North High School
From counting to cooperation, our youngest performers from the Akron Public Schools will share all they have learned in their ArtSparks classes with families and friends!
Dynamite Duos Programs: Imagine That!
Dates: March 7, 8, 9, 2022
Location: Firestone High School
This joy-filled performance features Akron Public School children with disabilities who are paired with their typically- developing peers and showcases how we collaborate to use our imaginations!
Cuyahoga Falls: Imagine That!
Date: March 18, 2022
Location: Cuyahoga Falls High School
400 Cuyahoga Falls 3rd grade students and Team TNT/XD hop on the STEAM engine to explore important inventors' crazy ideas through dance, music, and joy!
Help them Shine!
As we begin this unprecedented school year, I find myself both humbled and hopeful.
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Despite the significant challenges our school partners face in educating students remotely, they have welcomed ArtSparks Teaching Teams into their virtual communities and have invested their time and efforts in ensuring the successful delivery of our programming.
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How fortunate we are to have their support! Time and time again, I am told about the impact the incredibly talented and devoted ArtSparks Teaching Artists are making — they’re devoted to engaging and inspiring the children we serve.
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Led by Artistic Director Erica Piper, our dedicated staff spent countless hours this summer discovering ways in which to provide excellence in Arts education via remote platforms. They are ready!
Will teaching hundreds of children each week in this new environment be without its challenges? Probably not. But if there’s one thing I know and trust to be true, it’s this: the ArtSparks Team will face those challenges with a tenacious can-do spirit.
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I look forward to watching our students’ smiling faces as they learn that dance, music, and joy can take place anywhere — and that they are best when shared.
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We are in this together!
We know that when children are encouraged to be their best and are given the opportunity to discover the excellence within, lives are transformed. They think BIGGER, they strive HARDER, and they BELIEVE they can ACHIEVE!
We want this for each and every one of our ArtSparks’ students and we know you do, too!
Our students are looking forward to in-person culminating performances this year and we need your support to make their performances the best that they can be. Without the generous support of people like you, we would be unable to adequately provide our dancers with the incredible opportunity to realize their full potential and to shine in front of an audience.
Funds are still needed to cover the costs of rehearsals, live musical accompaniment, props and costumes.
If you would like to give the children of our community the chance to be self-confident and inspired to be their best selves, please click the link below to learn more about how you can help!
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Thank you for caring for the children of our community!!
Kara Cea
Founding Artistic Director/Executive Director
Support ArtSparks today!
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You can play a key role in fostering creativity and self-confidence as children experience the Arts in new and profound ways.
You’ll encourage children to develop a belief in themselves that impacts all aspects of their lives.
Your generosity provides access to high-quality dance programming along with the ArtSparks commitment to fostering the understanding of dance as an art form while challenging students of all ages and abilities to discover new heights of individual excellence.
Thank you!