PROVIDENCE – At a May 8 event, three Providence-based middle schools announced their intention to join Turnaround Arts – a national program created by the President’s Committee on the Arts and focused on closing the achievement gap – at the start of the 2017-2018 school year.
DelSesto, Gilbert Stuart and Roger Williams middle schools now belong to a group of 73 schools across 17 states and Washington, D.C., whose arts programs – be they dance, theater, arts or music – are supported by federal funding through the Turnaround Arts program.
While a nationally funded program, Turnaround Arts will be managed locally by Providence Public Schools and the Providence Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, as well as other area groups.
Chosen by program partners, selection criteria for participating schools included demonstrated need and opportunity, strong school leadership with district support and a commitment to arts education.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a PBN staff writer. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey.