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District fine-arts coordinator outlines expansion, grants and summer arts programs
Summary
District fine-arts coordinator Laura Clark reported on partnerships, grants exceeding $300,000, summer arts camp for 70 students and public-art projects including student-welded sculptures.
Laura Clark, the Newberry County School District fine-arts coordinator, reviewed the district’s arts activities and grant-funded programming for the coming year and highlighted several recent awards and partnerships.
Clark told the board the district continued and expanded an Arts Now partnership, adding Newberry Middle and Newberry High and bringing arts integration to additional elementary schools. She said the district has received more than $300,000 in grants for arts programming and secured a recent grant, Engaging Creative Minds, to fund a six-week, free summer arts camp for approximately 70 students.
Highlights and programs Clark described regional band recognitions, state-level student awards, and collaborative projects with the Newberry Opera House and other local partners. She said sculptor Bob Doster worked with students at Reuben and Boundary Street elementaries to produce welded sculptures—an eagle and a bee motif—expected to be installed in August or September.
Clark also reported on grant-seeking efforts: the district applied for additional arts funding (a grant she described as $50,000 over two years, pending), and she noted a $10,000 per-Title I-school grant opportunity that district staff will pursue. She said the district musical is designed to be self-sustaining and that professional learning for arts teachers has been funded from program proceeds.
Why this matters Clark framed the arts work as tied to academic outcomes and student development, noting the programs provide opportunities for arts-integrated instruction, summer learning and professional development for teachers. Board members praised the work and encouraged continued partnership-building.
Ending Clark closed by noting continued professional development plans and ongoing grant applications; the board expressed support and asked staff to continue expanding partnerships and visibility for district arts work.
