The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has chosen Las Vegas as the fourth partner city for Any Given Child, a program that creates a long-range arts education plan for students in grades K-8. The program will incorporate existing resources of the Las Vegas school system, along with those of local arts organizations and the Kennedy Center to create a plan for arts education specific to Las Vegas. The city joins partnerships in Sacramento, California; Springfield, Missouri; and Portland, Oregon.
“A strong arts education benefits students in their intellectual, personal, and social development.” said Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser. “The Kennedy Center wants to ensure that every child receives a solid, meaningful arts education from kindergarten through eighth grade. I commend Mayor Goodman for his leadership and commitment to enriching the lives of Las Vegas students. I am delighted that The Smith Center, as one of our Partners in Education member institutions, galvanized the community to apply for the Any Given Child program.”
Any Given Child seeks to bring access, balance, and equity to each child’s arts education, using an affordable model that combines the resources of the school district, local arts groups, and the Kennedy Center. With the assistance of expert consultation services provided by Kennedy Center staff and other professionals, community leaders develop a long-range plan for arts education that is tailor-made for the Las Vegas school district and community.
“This is really a big deal for Las Vegas,” Mayor Oscar B. Goodman said. “This brings first-class educators to work with our local students and that is a win-win for the city. The Symphony Park area has already attracted great medicine with the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brian Health and now The Smith Center is bringing an incredible educational component through the partnership with the Kennedy Center.”