The Orlando Magic and Orange County Arts Education Center (OCAEC) have teamed up to offer 19 Title I schools in Orange County the opportunity to participate in a variety of arts-related activities through the Magic Journey to the Arts Program.
Through June 2010, select elementary, middle and high school principals can sign up for free field trips where students gain exposure to a variety of arts programming available in Orange County, ranging from visual arts to the performing arts.
This initiative is one of the programs developed by OCAEC to help increase access to high-quality arts programming for young people who may not otherwise have access.
According to the Florida Cultural Alliance, students with high levels of arts participation tend to outperform students without arts access. Additionally, arts experiences have been proven to enhance critical thinking and other core skills in student academic development.
“We are grateful to the Orlando Magic for their support of this program,” said OCAEC Director Scott Evans. “These are valuable opportunities which could open new doors of learning for students who may not otherwise have this access.”
“We recognize the value of the arts to student learning and development,” said Orlando Magic Vice President of Community Relations and Government Affairs Linda Landman Gonzalez. “The opportunity to partner with OCAEC is a purposeful collaboration with results beyond measure.”
Through the support of American Coach, the children are transported to various local arts venues to participate in everything from a museum visit to a dance performance. The program is open to 19 Orange County schools with a high percentage of free and reduced lunch students (Title I schools). School principals must sign up for a field trip activity. Participating schools are:
Englewood Elementary School Grand Ave. Primary Learning Center
Howard Middle School Ivey Lane Elementary School
Memorial Middle School Mollie Ray Elementary School
Nap Ford Community School Orange Center Elementary School
Orlo Vista Elementary School Pine Hills Elementary School
Pineloch Elementary School Richmond Heights Elementary School
Rock Lake Elementary School Washington Shores Elementary School
Wheatley Elementary School Jones High School
Evans High School Eccleston Elementary School
Lake Weston Elementary School
The Orange County Arts Education Center (OCAEC) is an initiative of the Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs division. The mission of the center is to build connectivity, collaboration and support among Orange County’s leaders, residents, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and businesses to make high-quality arts education accessible to Orange County students.
