SCAD Partnership to Support Arkansas Teachers During Pandemic

Over the past few weeks, Arkansas arts educators have been at the forefront of our thoughts. Throughout the academic year, one of Thea Foundation's programs (Art Closet) supports teachers through funding art supplies and creative materials, but what happens when educators have to promptly transform their curriculum to online-only? It can be quite the challenge to teach the arts without a physical classroom. In turn, Thea Foundation sought to find a resource to help our state's passionate arts educators during this difficult time.

Through a fortunate partnership established by Thea Foundation Executive Director Nick Leopoulos, an alumnus from The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), we are now offering the opportunity for Arkansas high school arts educators to invite a SCAD faculty member to host a virtual workshop for their students. The SCAD faculty is an elite body of professors with expert recognitions ranging from Emmy and Academy Awards, to best-selling publications, to regular appearances on exclusive lists of the most admired educators.

"SCAD has always been a resource for countless Arkansas students serious about their creative careers," said Leopoulos. "This incredible opportunity is just one of many that signals their commitment to arts education in Arkansas. We are very proud to count them as a vital education partner in this state."

For years now, the university has also served as an Education Partner for Thea's scholarship program, providing students with matched funding if they receive a Thea scholarship and pursue higher education at the prominent arts-focused university. SCAD's free creative workshops merely require materials that most students should have readily accessible. Featured topics include painting, photography, concept development, storytelling, film and television, animation and more. Arkansas arts high school teachers who Thea Foundation has ongoing communication for programs are encouraged to check their email for details on how to schedule the workshops. Any applicable teacher who did not receive an email and is interested in the resource should contact Amanda Seevers at amanda@theafoundation.org.

Thea Foundation is greatly appreciative of SCAD’s willingness to support Arkansas arts educators in their efforts to provide unique curriculum and creative learning for young minds during this unprecedented global health issue. For more information about SCAD, please visit their website.

#theafoundation #savannahcollegeofartanddesign #SCAD #arkansasteachers