As Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall approaches a milestone of serving nearly 2 million students and educators, its Children’s Education Program continues to inspire and educate the next generation of artists and patrons. The program, which offers student matinees, summer camps, literacy programs, workshops, student ticketing, and virtual programming, has been a cornerstone of the city’s arts education scene since the venue opened in 1998.
Transforming Lives Through the Arts
For students like Josephine Clapper, a recent graduate of Fort Worth ISD’s I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and Visual Performing Arts, the program has been a source of inspiration and growth. Clapper, who plans to attend Drake University in Iowa and double major in kinesiology and music, credits the program with helping her develop a deeper appreciation for the arts and a sense of connection to her community.
The program’s impact extends beyond the students who participate in it, as it also provides a platform for educators to engage with the arts and develop new teaching methods. Taylor Woods, Performing Arts Fort Worth’s director of education and community engagement, notes that the program is built around the idea that students are not simply future arts patrons, but are already part of the community.
A Celebration of Excellence
The annual awards luncheon, which recognizes students and educators for their excellence in theater, dance, vocal performance, and music, is a testament to the program’s success. This year’s honorees included Clapper, as well as other talented students and educators from across the city.
The event also highlighted the importance of sustaining access to the arts for all members of the community. As Patricia Linares, a Performing Arts Fort Worth board member and former Fort Worth ISD interim superintendent, noted, without programs like the Children’s Education Program, many children might never have the chance to experience the transformative power of live performance and the arts.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
