Baum School of Art receives arts education funding
The Baum School of Art received a state grant for community arts education programs. As the recipient of the $26,100 grant, The Baum School of Art will be able to increase its outreach programs that assist underserved areas of the community, in an effort to provide expanded access to the benefits of arts education. This includes financial aid for children, teens, and adults to explore classes in art, design, and fashion, as well as support for free afterschool programs to every public school in Allentown, scholarships for senior citizens and veterans, programs for youth and young adults on the autism spectrum, merit scholarships and recognition for exceptionally talented students, and more.
The grant, secured by Senator Browne, directly supports the school’s mission of enriching lives through arts education and will provide art classes to approximately 100 residents of the city of Allentown, expanding opportunities for our community members, giving them the chance to express themselves, explore their creativity, and participate in tactile experiences. The school’s founder, Walter Emerson Baum believed that no one should be deprived the opportunity to study art because of limited financial resources. Today, the school’s mission remains true to Walter Baum’s vision.
After two years of life altered by the pandemic, programs at The Baum School of Art provide an opportunity to experience hands-on learning in a safe, social environment—an antidote to the virtual overload and social isolation of the past two years. Additionally, the school invites essential workers, healthcare workers, and families negatively impacted by the pandemic, to take part in art classes. Thank you to Senator Browne for recognizing the important role that the arts can play in our community’s sense of wellness. If you are a resident of the city of Allentown, please contact the school at 610-433-0032 to learn more about participating in art classes at The Baum School of Art.
PSF announces new dual leadership team
Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, the region’s professional Equity theatre hosted on the campus of DeSales University, announces a new artistic turnover and leadership model. Jason King Jones, the former Senior Associate Artistic Director of Maryland’s Olney Theatre Center, has been hired as the new artistic director and will join current Managing Director Casey William Gallagher in a new dual leadership model.
The news comes following Patrick Mulcahy’s announcement one year ago that he will step down from his role at the Festival at the end of this summer 2022. Mulcahy served as Producing Artistic Director of Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PSF) since 2003.
Board President Judith Harris, Esq. said, “The
PSF Board of Directors welcomes new Artistic Director Jason King Jones with much delight and excitement. Jason’s extensive experience in the Shakespeare canon, musical theatre, and both classical and innovative theatre are in uncanny alignment with PSF’s vision of excellence in artistry and mission. Moreover, Jason’s versatility, organizational talents, and leadership are in perfect sync with the careful and brilliant fiscal management and pragmatic administration of Managing Director Casey Gallagher over his nearly 19 years in managing PSF and its gifted staff. In light of the Board’s recent adoption of a dual leadership model, Jason and Casey are, together, a formidably wonderful team who will surely lead PSF in realizing its artistic and strategic goals.”
Gallagher, who has worked at PSF for 25 seasons in a variety of positions, and presently serves as managing director had this to say about his new leadership role, “Over the years, it has been my honor to work side-by-side with the Festival Founder Gerard J. Schubert, OSFS and with Patrick Mulcahy since 2004, and now I am thrilled to work with Jason as we co-lead the Festival into an exciting future.”
Bringing over a decade of experience as the Senior Associate Artistic Director at Olney Theatre Center, and Artistic Director of OTC’s National Players touring company, Jones said this at the time of accepting the position, “I am deeply honored to be invited to co-lead this fantastic organization. I got my professional start at a summer Shakespeare festival, and I believe deeply in the expansive power of Shakespeare as well as the power of mentorship that an organization like Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival provides. Everyone associated with PSF, including my co-leader Casey, believes deeply in this institution, and I can’t wait to work with them to forge with them a dynamic future.”
Jones will join Gallagher in this new appointment beginning September 1.