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Jackson School of the Arts is a place where the transformative power of the arts is within reach for all, especially those with the least access.
To provide quality accessible arts education programs for Jackson County youth regardless of their financial means.
Since 2001, Jackson School of the Arts mission is to make the arts accessible to Jackson County youth regardless of their financial means. The work of including, finding and providing programs to students not served anywhere else is at the center of the Jackson School of the Arts efforts.
We serve all youth by providing high-quality, low-cost, out-of-school programs for ages 18 months to adult in Art, Dance, Theater, and Gymnastics. Children come to take after-school classes from all surrounding counties. Many are at-risk as identified by these indicators: poverty, welfare dependence, one parent household, un-wed mothers or both parents absent. We know that kids need an outlet for their creativity and energy. If this is stifled, they’ll find other ways of engaging in negative behavior. Our organization give over $6,000 away each month in scholarships to our students.
Research has shown that “learning in and through the arts can help level the playing field for youngsters from disadvantaged circumstances.” The act of artistic creation expands and inspires young minds. An education rich in the arts is critical to the full intellectual, emotional, and social development of children – further, successful out-of-school programs have demonstrated that frequent access to and participation in the arts helps decrease and prevent negative behaviors in at-risk youth.
Jackson School of the Arts has grown into an organization with a reputation for excellence. We continually put a quality experience before profit which is why we keep class sizes small, frequently evaluate our programs and conduct research on best practices. We attribute our steady growth to the values we uphold as an organization.
The Jackson School of the Arts offers programs for all ages and levels in the visual and performing arts. We provide weekly classes on-site classes and partner with public schools and organizations to provide enriching out-of-school arts activities throughout the community. Our staff of professional artists, actors, and dancers are as at home in our studios as they are on stage.
For two decades, Jackson School of the Arts has been a leading provider in art, dance, and theater education. As a nonprofit organization with a mission to make the arts accessible to all children, we offer subsidized fees that are based on household income.
Founded in 2001 by Leslie Montgomery as a 501(c)(3) organization with piano instruction, Jackson School of the Arts today provides multiple forms of artistic expression. From its beginnings as an after-school option for at-risk children, the organization has evolved into a multifaceted “school” for the arts that serves families from all over South Central Michigan.
The organization began in the founders’ living room and moved to 804 S. Milwaukee Street and then to the old Longfellow Elementary School building.
In 2007, Jackson School of the Arts relocated to the 2nd floor of the ART634 building. Also in 2007, we worked closely with the JSO’s Community Music School to transfer our piano students into their music program. From that point on, we began to specialize in the visual and performing arts not already offered in our community.
With our on and off-site year round programs we reach 2,500 children. We go above and beyond to reach children and youth in need whether that need is financial, social or something else entirely.
Jackson School of the Arts has grown into an organization with a reputation for excellence. We continually put a quality experience before profit which is why we keep class sizes small, frequently evaluate our programs and conduct research on best practices. We attribute our steady growth to the values we uphold as an organization.
Sarah Miller – Chair
Chief Financial Officer, American 1 Credit Union
John Macchia, Jr. – Vice Chair
Chief Executive Officer, Advance Turning & Manufacturing, Inc.
Phil Curtis – Secretary
Managing Attorney, Curtis, Curtis & Brelinski
Ben Butterfield – Treasurer
Retirement Planner, Jack V. Butterfield Investment Co.
Stuart Kail – Director
VP of Marketing, Keystone Agency Partners
Matthew Aubin, D.M.A. – Director
Artistic Director, The Chelsea Symphony; Music Director & Executive Director, Jackson Symphony Orchestra
