The past year has been a very difficult historical and unprecedented time for all of us; so many challenges and changes on so many levels. The Norman Jordan African American Arts & Heritage Academy faculty and staff truly hope that you and your loved ones are doing well and we are taking this opportunity to inform you of our intentions for the summer of 2021. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Register for the 2021 Online Norman Jordan African American Arts & Heritage Academy here https://developingartist.wufoo.com/forms/zt9opnq1mftv5r/
The Norman Jordan African American Arts & Heritage Academy (NJAAA&HA) offers students 13-18 years of age one week of concentrated study in the artistic discipline of their choice. Workshops focus on vocal music, instrumental music (strings, horns, percussion including steel drums), theater, dance, creative writing (including hip-hop and basic song writing), visual arts, and arts technology. Classes are supplemented by historical and cultural knowledge associated with students chosen art form.
In the spring of 2021, We of course regretted having to cancel last year’s academy session and were looking forward to being able to conduct our program in our usual manner this summer. However, as we observe the news and predictions for the coronavirus we can see that it will still not be safe to have an in-person, up close, program for our students, faculty, and staff this year. Therefore, we have decided, and have begun planning a Virtual Academy this summer with the expectation that we will be able to get back to normal thereafter.
Our Virtual Academy will be conducted by our very well qualified and experienced faculty, and will take place over a four day period of time during the month of July, 2021. The following artistic disciplines will be available for students to choose from: Vocal music, Instrumental Music, Dance, Theater, and Creative Writing including Hip Hop. In addition, artistic disciplines will be supplemented with performances and presentations by professional guest artists in each artistic genre as well as with cultural / heritage enrichment sessions that are associated with the art forms. Students who desire will still be able to showcase their talents in the student Talent Show. Each day will begin at 8:30 a.m., there will be a lunch break from 12:00 -1:00, and the day will end at 5:30 p.m.
We expect the Virtual Academy to be a very interesting and enjoyable experience for students. Technology and technicians have provided us with this different way of learning during tough times and we all have collectively been motivated to expand our consciousness and creativity to meet the challenge. We are still determined to address our mission of working with teenagers to enhance their individual talents, expose them to aspects of their cultural heritage, and aid their development into well rounded self-assured adults. We feel that our mission is even more relevant today amidst the societal changes that have taken place and educational and learning problems associated with the pandemic. It is a time when teenagers need to be inspired and have opportunities that encourage optimism and hope for the future.
We will soon have Registration forms available for the Virtual Academy on the academy website and by mail. Also, while this letter is more of an informative communication rather than a fundraiser, please keep in mind that although our expenses will be less with a virtual academy because we won’t have residential housing and dining hall concerns, we will still have expenses associated with technology, faculty and guest artist honorariums, arts & craft supplies that will be mailed to students, etc. So, your donations are still very much appreciated and remember that the academy is a 501c3 organization, which makes your donation tax-deductible.
Your contribution to the Norman Jordan African American Arts & Heritage Academy
$25.00_______ $50.00______ $75.00______ $100.00_______
$200.00_______ $500.00_____ $1,000.00______ Other_________
Name________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________
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Please send Donation to: Mrs. Linda Ealy
1402 First Ave.
Charleston, WV 25387
