About Center for the Arts K-12

Arts Education

Educators are charged with creating the most creatively diverse experience for every child to help them reach their full potential. "The arts, has been my life since age five and I always try to give the joy that I get from and through the arts to everyone that I meet. The slogan, "Are you your brothers' keeper?" reminds me every day that someone sends me positive energy so I am responsible to share that support," said Mr. Shawn C. Thorpe, Academic Principal on Assignment, Center for the Arts K-12. The Arts, is a vehicle that allows people to dream, find their creativity and see the beauty in life through an artistic perspective. What is an artistic perspective? Having an ability to be accepting of all cultures as gifts of new knowledge to enhance one's life and looking at all life experiences from a positive perspective in order to move to a different level of development. How awesome it would be if more people could live in the realm of finding, exploring and perfecting their creative spirit. The center will do just that, give Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) a vehicle to begin to help people find that vision of hope that every child yearns for and every adult works to protect. A student, teacher, administrator or parent being able to smile and feel the smile all the way down to the core of their being. That type of personal connection comes from having positive regard and positive self-regard experiences. That positive regard and positive self-regard is the very basis of arts instruction (Carl Rogers Client Centered Therapy-Classroom Management).

Why a Center for the Arts K-12?

The concept of an Alexandria City Public Schools Center for the Arts grew out of a desire to better meet the needs of those students whose artistic passion and ability demand expanded opportunities for development and in recognition of the unique avenue the arts offers to enhance the learning of all students. Subsequently research and discussion have broadened that initial concept to include the possibility of an arts integration model as well as strengthened partnerships with the various arts organizations that comprise Alexandria's vibrant arts community.

How will Alexandria City Public Schools and Community Benefit?

The Alexandria City Public Schools Center for the Arts concept will provide an opportunity to improve student achievement that meets or even exceeds the arts performance benchmarks determined by the Virginia Arts Standards of Learning. The ACPS Center for the Arts will serve and benefit students as an internal pathway to scaffold the learning about the arts and entertainment industry while expanding and even connecting the arts integration model to some core area subjects. The center will also serve as an invaluable resource in providing flagship venues for students to achieve cinematic features with the school and community, raise the level of rigor through cross departmental arts projects, video streams, music productions, photography and film, performing arts series, arts exhibitions, oratory features, theatrical productions, master class workshops with current artists, more focused arts staff development with other performing arts centers and to nurture current arts partnerships and develop new arts partnerships with the Alexandria Arts Community.