School of the Arts sole recipient of Cleveland Arts Prize
(Article appeared in November issue of The Entertainer)
By Lea Jaratz
Since Tuesday, September 24, 1996, students and staff at the Cleveland
School of the Arts have had something new to be proud of. On this day a
35 year old award (the Cleveland Arts Prize - established by the Women's
City Club) was awarded to the Cleveland School of the Arts. Awarding the
Cleveland Arts Prize to a public school was an unusual honor. In the past
the committee has chosen famous artists, poets, choreographers, and musicians
whose lives and works have made an impact on Cleveland.
CSA students and staff believe that this award is well deserved. They feel
that CSA teaches more about the various arts than they would receive in
a regular school. Many teachers also feel that the prize was an honor earned
by the school's performance and perseverance. "At CSA we teach about patience,
discipline, and preparation in all of our classes," said Jonathan Fairman,
Director of the Creative Writing Program. "I am pleased that we finally
are being given the recognition we deserve."
CSA could not have achieved the award without the financial and moral assistance
of "The Friends of the Cleveland School of the Arts" - an organization
that seeks grants, tutors, purchases materials, equipment, and pays the
salaries of many artists-in-residence at the school.
In addition to recognizing the performance of the students of the school,
some members of the prize committee felt that it would send a message to
the Cleveland Board of Education (and other school boards as well) that
arts based education programs "work" and are an essential part of a student's
overall education.
The award ceremony was held at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The entire
ceremony was broadcasted by WCPN 90.3. Senior Writing Major Danielle Moncrief
worked with staff from WCPN and helped to produce an "audio essay" about
the school. This audio essay aired it several times throughout the day.
Prior to the award ceremony, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Northern Ohio
Live published articles detailing the school's accomplishments.
In October of 1997, this event was chosen the Outstanding Benefit of
the Year by Northern Ohio Live Magazine.
Edited 12/97 jgf
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