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AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS & HERITAGE ACADEMY

Accepting Applications for 2010

Host Site: West Virginia University

April 21, 2010

Contact Person: Jacqueline A. Dooley

(304) 293-4397

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Applications are being accepted for the African American Arts & Heritage Academy. The academy will begin its annual Academy on July 5, 2010, ending on July 10, 2010. and will select students from the ages thirteen (13) to eighteen (18) from various areas throughout West Virginia to receive a week of concentrated study in the discipline of their choice at the 2010 session.

Classes focus on history/culture, literature/creative writing, dance, museum studies, audio/video technology, vocal and instrumental music, theater arts and visual arts. The academy is thrilled to offer two new disciplines for 2010. Steel Drum instructions will be offered as a new discipline this year. Mrs. Linda Ealy, Charleston, WV will serve as the instructor for the discipline.

The academy will partner with Dr. Michael Mays, WVU Campus Coordinator for the National Science Foundation, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority (NSF-LSAMP) participation in the STEM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) to introduce STEM as a pilot program for the Academy.

According to Jacqueline Dooley, AAAHA VP of Communication and PR Coordinator, “the AAAHA staff and faculty are excited to have Dr. Mike Mays on board with us to introduce this component to the academy. We feel the students may take a great interest in the program.

In addition, students also are treated to field trips including African American historical and cultural sites in Morgantown and Pittsburgh. Approximately 40 – 50 students attend the Academy each year. At the end of the week, the students perform in a showcase for faculty and invited guests. The public is also invited to attend.

Applications are available online at: http://africanamericanartsheritageacad.n…

Please submit an application to Mrs. Carolyn Thomas, Director 1919 10th Avenue, Huntington, WV 25701 or you may go online and register

Mr. Norman Jordan serves as the President and Chief Financial CEO of the organization.

The African American Arts and Heritage Academy is sponsored in part by:

The Charleston Gazette Send a Child to Camp Fund

The Jacobson Foundation.

Robert H. Mollohan Family Charitable Family Foundation

Charleston Alpha Kappa Alpha

West Virginia and Virginia Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

Partnership of African American Churches

Lyle B. Clay Foundation

West Virginia Commission for the Arts