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The Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University and the Bridgeport Public Schools (BPS) Department of Performing and Visual Arts (DPVA) are kicking off the fifth year of our expansive “Arts for All” partnership, designed to benefit BPS students and the greater community-at-large.

The partnership is guided by the shared belief that arts educational experiences have significant impact on students’ academic, social, and emotional outcomes.

With a joint commitment of providing BPS students with arts access, high quality arts instruction, and exposure to diverse arts experiences, the partnership will impact more than 3,000 students in grades K-12. Far deeper than typical collaborations, this partnership offers direct access to well-known and emerging artists, opportunities for internship, and financial scholarships.

Arts for All Initiative at a Glance:

• Free workshops, master classes, and panel discussions through which students work with artists and take part in the creative process;
• Free access to the Quick’s School Matinee Series, providing exposure to live performances and post-performance workshops;
• A season ticket program with a donation of 1,500 tickets per season to Bridgeport students and their families;
• Scholarships for Bridgeport students to participate in Quick Summer Intensive classes in a variety of topics including musical theater, visual art, circus, dance, photography, and fashion, serving more than 100 fourth through tenth grade students;
• Professional development events for Bridgeport educators, led by visiting artists and Fairfield University faculty;
• Additionally, high school juniors and seniors can pursue mentorships and internships at the Quick Center, to learn about potential career choices in arts administration in the areas of programming, marketing, finance & administration, technical theatre, and development/fundraising.

The benefits of the partnership are not limited to Bridgeport students, nor the Bridgeport community. Rather, the benefits of fostering a lifetime engagement in arts and culture are far-reaching.

Support for the Arts for All initiative is provided by individual donors and partners including the Howard and Katherine Aibel Foundation, the Herman Goldman Foundation, and the Lundberg Family Foundation.

For more information on the partnership, please contact Katie Lang, Manager of Engagement Initiatives, at 203-254-4000 x2977 or by email at klang@fairfield.edu.