I’ll be attending two “Evening of Arts” performances by Arizona School for the Arts in “mommy mode” next week, as students from various music, dance and theater classes perform at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix.
The events are meant to showcase student talent for parents and community members, and to raise awareness of Arizona’s school tax credit program — through which qualified donations to public and private schools can earn tax credits for donors.
Our youngest child graduates from high school next year, so this will be our last year making these contributions with our parent hats on — but I expect we’ll keep giving for as long as the tax credit is around as a way to help schools fund various extra-curricular activities.
“Evening of Arts” is free and open to the public, but isn’t the only opportunity to enjoy student performing arts in the coming days and weeks.
This weekend you can enjoy performances by students at New School for Arts and Academics in Tempe (near ASU Gammage).
The NSAA “Winter Showcase” takes place at the NSAA campus Sat, Dec 4, at 5pm. It features “a mix of duets from [the] musical theatre class and duo scenes from [the] acting class.” Tickets are $7/adults and $5/students.
Students of Metropolitan Arts Institute in Phoenix participate in “First Friday” on Fri, Dec 3 — and Lisa Starry notes that you can save the dates Feb 11, 2011 and March 7, 2011 if you’d like to enjoy Metro Arts dance department performances.
Your neighborhood schools — public/charter or private — may also be holding special tax credit events, or simply inviting those interested in student programs to make donations through the tax credit program.
Of course, all of our schools — whether or not they have an arts focus — need individual, corporate and community support year-round. Donations. Volunteerism. Participation in events like these music, dance and theater showcases.
I hope you’ll attend at least one performing arts program at a Valley school this season, allowing our talented and hard-working students to share their many gifts with you as well.
— Lynn
Note: Click here to learn more about Arizona school tax credits
Coming up: This new daddy is an ogre…