High Point Arts Council

The goal of the Education Committee of the High Point Area Arts Council is to increase cultural opportunities for young people and advocate for increased arts education programs.

The arts are a positive force in building academic achievement, developing self-esteem, and encouraging creative thought processes in young people. For children of all ages whether advantaged or disadvantaged, education in the arts provides exploration, innovation, discipline, and self-worth as well as opportunities to achieve success, both within the classroom as well as in other venues.

The Arts Council places youth arts and education endeavors as a high priority in terms of advocacy, funding, and programming. To meet this objective, the Arts Council has sponsored Teacher Arts Grants since 1987.

The Arts Council acts as a catalyst for identifying resources, locations, and programs for young people to learn about and experience the arts. In 2002, the Arts Council initiated the John Coltrane Jazz Workshop for middle and high school students which is held one week during the summer.

In 2005, the Arts Council launched its Arts Education Initiatives program to better serve the needs of children and youth in High Point. An auditioned Children’s Chorale for singers in grades 3, 4 and 5 was implemented to give young singers an opportunity to perform high quality choral music that encourages excellence in an individual and group effort. The auditioned Youth Jazz Orchestra is open to high school musicians who are interested in learning more about the aspects and performance techniques associated with performing in a jazz ensemble.

In 2006, the Arts Council expanded the choral program to include an auditioned Youth Chorale for singers in grades 6, 7, and 8. Both of the choral groups are for treble voices (girls and boys) and emphasizes music from all periods and in a variety of styles—classical, folk, lighter-fare, accompanied and acappella.

For more information about arts education initiatives of the High Point Area Arts Council, contact Debbie Lumpkins at 889-2787 ext. 22 or dlumpkins@highpointarts.org.