Liechtys donate to Arts Center

The Arts Center has received a $20,000 year-end contribution from Clarice and Reuben Liechty for student scholarships. Arts After School, Saturday classes, summer drama, family workshops and summer visual arts camps are fee-based programs, however, scholarships are available for each of these classes. Scholarships cover between 50 to 100 percent of the class fee and are based on parent request.

“This generous gift from the Liechtys removes the obstacle of a class fee from student participation and guarantees that every student interested in being part of the arts, can do so,” said Taylor Barnes, Arts Center director.

Numerous studies report on the benefits of an education in and through the arts, Barnes said. Active engagement during the creative process requires focus, evaluation, discrimination, discipline and aspects of problem solving that transform an idea into a reality. Students who regularly participate in the arts score higher on the verbal portion of the Scholastic Achievement Test and higher on the math portion than students with no course work or experience in the arts, Barnes said.

Tags: arts center, diversions, arts, donation, liechty