Musicopia, the Philadelphia-based youth education nonprofit, recently received a $1 million that will pay huge dividends for young people across the city, writes Peter Crimmins for WHYY.
With the new funding, Musicopia will establish a permanent endowment fund and will be earmarked for its new Arts Leadership Fund.
Through the new “Walter R. Garrison Arts Leadership Academy: Rhythms for Success,” several programs for high school students that have been piloted for years will be integrated into a overall network of services. These services include mentorships, scholarships, college and career counseling, and stipends.
“To be able to bring it together and have students enroll in this Academy, and have a name attached to it, and have formal structure for the students to interact on a regular basis,” said Catherine Charlton, president and CEO of the fund. “It just brings it all together in a really beautiful way.”
Already supporting drumlines in at least 10 schools in Philadelphia, the new Leadership Academy will allow school drumlines from all over the city the opportunity to collaborate.
Foundation chair Barton Winokur highlighted that the new endowment will also ensure that music remains a strong component within the public school system.
Read more about Musicopia and the new funding that will help transform its operations in WHYY.
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