BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD ACCEPTS DONATION FROM TEXAS ARTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL, RECOGNIZES ARTS IN EDUCATION MONTH

  

The Brenham School Board on Monday accepted a $3,500 donation from the Texas Arts and Music Festival and recognized students and staff members in Brenham ISD’s art programs.

The festival’s donation will support the Brenham High School Fine Arts Department, contributing to education in art, band, choir, theatre and dance.  Each year, the fall festival in downtown Brenham raises funding for educational resources benefitting local students and their pursuit of the arts.

Brenham ISD Chief Communications and Engagement Officer Brooke Trahan, who serves on the Texas Arts and Music Festival Board, said fine arts are made possible not only by the district’s educators and students, but through the support of the community and organizations like the Texas Arts and Music Festival.

The donation will be split five ways: $1,500 for visual arts, $500 for band, $500 for choir, $500 for theatre and $500 for dance.

The presentation of the donation came after the board read a proclamation recognizing the month of March as Arts in Education Month.  Several students came forward from Brenham ISD’s various art programs to talk about the impact those programs have had on them.

Theatre student Sadie Royer, who is also a representative for Texas Thespians, the nation’s largest chapter of the Educational Theatre Association, said this proclamation serves as a spotlight for the many skills and qualities that the arts can teach, like building, painting, emotional vulnerability, creativity, empathy and advocacy.   

Art student Carnell Burns said his instructor, Stephen Henry, and the full art department are not just teachers, but mentors.  He said his time in the department has changed him in a profound way.

Trahan said the proclamation is more than about celebrating the district’s programs; it is about recognizing the impact that fine arts education has on students every day.

Also in session on Monday, trustees approved one-year contract extensions for directors, principals, assistant principals and coordinators.