CFPCA among Detroit Public Schools Community District new expanded arts and music partnership
24 participating metro Detroit organizations have committed to contributing robust programing
DETROIT - February 11, 2020 - Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) announced today it has partnered with 24 arts organizations for an intentional investment of resources and expertise in the Detroit School of Arts (DSA) Pathways Initiative. The initiative is designed to position DSA as the premier arts school in Metro Detroit and to develop students' talent in the years to follow.
"The Detroit School of Arts is a beautiful facility that is underutilized as an asset to the arts, students and the City," said Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, DPSCD. "We know that Detroit's children represent historic arts talent and that DPS has developed some of the world's best artists. As we continue to rebuild the school system, we are committed to the whole child, this is a critical piece to the process. The concentration of focus by the District and partners will make DSA the destination for Detroit's talent."
In Fall 2019 the District embarked upon Phase I of the DSA Pathways Initiative with 24 partners committed to providing programming in multiple art forms either in-kind or at no-cost during the first full year of rebuilding (through June 2020). Four schools are designated as Middle School Arts Conservatories, or feeder schools, to DSA - Brenda Scott Academy for Theatre Arts, Duke Ellington Conservatory of Music & Art, John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy and Spain Elementary-Middle School. The Middle School Arts Conservatories will work with the 24 partnered institutions as well as with students and faculty from DSA. In addition, DSA Pathways partners are collaborating with national organizations such as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Educational Theatre Association, and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy to bring the best of arts to DSA and its middle school programs. The Middle School Arts Conservatories will offer five core art forms - dance, theatre, visual arts, instrumental music and vocal music.
The Middle School Arts Conservatories have robust arts programming for all K-8 students but will include a separate application and audition process. Students in Grades 5-7 can apply now for admission to Grades 6-8 beginning in Fall 2020. Auditions for the Middle School Arts Conservatories will take place this spring.
Transportation will be provided from the four Middle School Arts Conservatories to DSA.
For more information on the Detroit School of Arts Pathways Initiative, visit detroitk12.org/DSAPathways.
Detroit School of Arts Pathways Partners
The Carr Center • College for Creative Studies • Detroit Institute of Arts • Detroit Institute of Music Education (DIME) • Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation • Detroit Public Theatre • Detroit Symphony Orchestra • Eisenhower Dance Detroit • Heritage Works • InsideOut Literary Arts • Living Arts • Michigan Opera Theatre • MSU Community Music School-Detroit • Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit • The Motown Museum • Music Hall • Pewabic Pottery • Shakespeare in Detroit • Sphinx Organization • Stratford Festival • University of Michigan SMTD • University Musical Society (UMS) • Wayne State University CFPCA • Y Arts & The Detroit Creativity Project
About Detroit Public Schools Community District"¯"¯
Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is Michigan's largest public education system. It is governed by a locally elected, seven-member board with Dr. Nikolai Vitti serving as superintendent. The District's mission is to provide every student with a beneficial and rightful educational experience, preparing students to be career and college ready, and qualified to compete in the global market. The District has more than 100 schools and educates 50,000 children. For more information, visit detroitk12.org"¯
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