PPAC Community Outreach Committee Sets ARTS Scholarships 2016 Program

Jo-Ann Ragosta, Chairperson of the ARTS Scholarships 2016 program, along with the members of the Community Outreach Committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center, are pleased to announce that applications for the ARTS Scholarships 2016 program will be available starting Monday, January 4, 2016; applications will then be accepted through Friday, February 26, 2016.

The ARTS Scholarships 2016 program, sponsored by The Textron Charitable Trust and the PPAC Annual Fund Donors, will provide 30 scholarships valued up to $500 each to qualified, talented Rhode Island students. Qualified students must be aged 11 - 14 by June 1, 2016. These scholarships offer young artists an opportunity to attend local summer arts education programs that will broaden their experiences in a chosen area of study.

Starting Monday, January 4, 2016, ARTS Scholarships 2016 applications and guidelines will be available both online at www.ppacri.org and in person at the Providence Performing Arts Center Administrative Office, 220 Weybosset Street, Second Floor, Providence, RI 02903. For more information, please visit www.ppacri.org or call (401) 421-2997. Completed applications must be submitted to Cynthia Goldsmith at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, Providence, RI 02903 no later than 3P on Friday, February 26, 2016.

In 1996, with a portion of the proceeds from the First Annual Greater Providence Gospel Fest (a production of the Providence Performing Arts Center), the Community Outreach Committee created the ARTS Scholarships program, a scholarship fund earmarked for assisting students with an interest in studying the arts. Over the past 19 years, 502 scholarships have been awarded to talented Rhode Island students. Previous scholarship winners had the opportunity to attend summer programs at The Rhode Island School of Design, Festival Ballet Providence, Theatre at St. Michael's Summer Camp, Camp Broadway, The Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, The Gamm Theatre, and others.

"Rhode Island is rich in culture and diversity," said Jo-Ann Ragosta, Chairperson of the ARTS Scholarships 2016 program. "We are happy to give the youth of our state an opportunity to tap into their artistic abilities and develop skills that can help shape their lives."

Community Outreach Committee

The Community Outreach Committee is a committee of the Providence Performing Arts Center's Board of Directors and is comprised of PPAC Directors, Rhode Island educators, artists, and community leaders with an interest in the arts and youth. The Committee's mission includes developing arts education opportunities for Rhode Island's young people and making the Providence Performing Arts Center accessible to Rhode Island's diverse populations. This Committee oversees the ARTS Scholarships program.

ARTS Scholarships 2016 Committee

Jo-Ann Ragosta, Chairperson

Cynthia Goldsmith, PPAC Coordinator

Members: Suzanne Augenstein, Ellen Barnes, Gabriella Caprio, Robert DeRobbio, Robert Donovan, Cynthia Laughlin, Tsetse Lavallee, Barbara Lavine, Donna Mesolella, Mary Lou Riker, Jennifer Sanchez.

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