About SPARC
Through exceptional performing arts education, SPARC helps youth find their inner light and share it with the world!
SPARC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1981 and is one of the nationβs most comprehensive, community-based youth performing arts education organizations. WeΒ provide an atmosphere where creative expression flourishes, meaningful connections are built, and individuality isΒ celebrated.
Stay Connected
StageCraft is getting ready for some fall fun at SPARCfest in a few weeks. Join us on October 21 to see the finished project!
Image Description: 4 StageCraft participants and a teacher are gathered with paint brushes around 2 plywood sheets on the floor. They are painting a blue and black background around a space scene that includes and astronaut and an alien. A SPARCfest flyer is held up in the foreground by the person behind the camera.
FOUR MORE DAYS until Urinetown auditions! Thank you for being silly in the rain last night, Chandler! Chandler is a SPARC alum who is joining the team as Choreographer. We are so excited to get started!
Urinetown Auditions are open to 6th-12th graders and will be held at SPARC this Sunday, Oct 1 from 1pm-4pm. Youth must sign up online to audition. For more information go to www.sparcrichmond.org/auditions or click the link in our story!
NINE MORE DAYS til auditions for Urinetown! Have you signed up yet? To kick us off with the fun here's our Director, Matt, and Stage Manager, Em, ready to grab their tools and get to (silly) work. Click the link in our story to sign up or visit sparcrichmond.org/auditions
We are one month away from SPARCfest, our annual fall festival celebrating the families of SPARC and their friends! Join us for games, youth performances, art, and delicious food. The fun goes from 11am-2pm on Saturday, October 21. Pictured here are photos from last year's event, taken by Tom Topinka.
Image Description:
1) A group shot of Touring Ensemble in front of SPARC's step-and-repeat. Several members have their arms spread wide in excited poses.
2) A group shot of youth practicing making sound effects with random props such as a giant bottle of bubble solution, water bottles, and a hat box. The youth are dressed in various Halloween costumes.
3) Two parents smiling and holding up their baby, who is dressed as Tinker Bell.
4) A family in front of the step-and-repeat wearing costumes with photo booth masks in front of their faces.
5) A smiling family of 4 looking at the camera.
6) A young child decorating a foam pumpkin ornament.
7) Two youth on stage with microphones, joined by a SPARC instructor on guitar. The three are performing an original song.
8) A smiling child with two pigtail buns, wearing a black and white checkered costume.
9) A group shot of SPARC instructors and youth doing character movements. Several of the folks pictured have one of their legs kicked out in a dance move.
Today we are excited to spread awareness of National Arts Education Week. Passed by Congress in 2010, this annual observance brings attention to the importance of arts education and prompts elected officials and decision makers across the country to support equitable access to the arts for all students.
Use this link to learn ways to advocate for arts access to decision makers, customized by your relationship to the work! https://www.americansforthearts.org/arts-education-navigator/your-role
And we'd love to hear your stories of how access to arts education has transformed your life, too! Post images, video, and stories using the hashtags below...
#BecauseOfArtsEd
#ArtsEdWeek
@Americans4Arts
Image Description: A dark blue background with colorful paint splatters at the edges. An image of young people performing "Disney's 101 Dalmatians" is superimposed along with information about how to participate in National Arts Education Week, September 10 to 16, 2023.
SPARC is headed to Urinetown this winter!
Join us for this hilarious show, which kicks off rehearsals in November. Audition sign-ups for 6th-12th graders will be online next week. In the meantime, have a great Labor Day weekend!
Fall class registration closes next week! If you've been waiting for the right time to claim a spot in your favorite SPARC class, now is your moment. Scroll through this post to learn helpful details about our fall semester, and visit the link in our bio to enroll.
Image Description: A series of 6 images, each depicting bright yellow and orange maple leaves shining against a pale blue sky. Facts about SPARC's fall classes are written on top of each image.
The return to school brings many emotions for youth, families, teachers, and friends. No matter what you're feeling as the year begins, we hope you find moments of calm and connection with your community to help you on your way. You've got this!
Image Description: The words "sending happy wishes for a great new school year, from all of us at SPARC" are written on a chalkboard-like background. Chalk-like drawings of a cloud and stars are included, too.
Did you know? If you make a contribution to SPARC by August 31st in honor of your favorite student or faculty member, we will send them a special message to let them know. Join us as we look towards a new and exciting year of learning!
Image ID: A production photo from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Two actors stand center stage with one hand outstretched, almost touching the other's. Behind them is the soft glow of outer space. Photo by Tom Topinka.
Join us in sharing a big round of applause for the many amazing young people who participated in SPARC's summer programs! Scroll through to see just a few snapshots of favorite moments from various SPARC camps.
This week marks the last few days of our 8-week summer season. We love this time of year and all the exciting performances, friendships, and memories it brings. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped to make this year such fun!
Image ID:
6 different images framed on gold backgrounds with blue splashing waves that the bottom and SPARC's white logo at the top. The camps featured are Broadway Blast (2 locations), OUT Loud, SPARCLERS Mini, August Adventure, and August Adventure. Each photo features youth posing together in groups. Some are taking bows on stage, some are rehearsing choreography, and some are learning music.
Facebook Posts
StageCraft is getting ready for some fall fun at SPARCfest in a few weeks. Join us on October 21 to see the finished project!
Image Description: 4 StageCraft participants and a teacher are gathered with paint brushes around 2 plywood sheets on the floor. They are painting a blue and black background around a space scene that includes and astronaut and an alien. A SPARCfest flyer is held up in the foreground by the person behind the camera.
Congratulations ππππΎ SPARC - Youth Performing Arts π
FOUR MORE DAYS until Urinetown auditions! Thank you for being silly in the rain last night, Chandler! Chandler is a SPARC alum who is joining the team as Choreographer. We are so excited to get started!
Urinetown Auditions are open to 6th-12th graders and will be held at SPARC this Sunday, Oct 1 from 1pm-4pm. Youth must sign up online to audition. For more information click here: www.sparcrichmond.org/auditions
I am thrilled to hear that Chandler will be working on this show !!!!!!!!!!!
Yay, Chandler!!
Congratulations πΎπππ SPARC - Youth Performing Arts
Go Chandler!! Love seeing former students returning as professionals!! β€οΈ
One of my all time favorite shows and writer!!!
Questions?
Email us at sparc@sparcrichmond.org or call 804.353.3393.
All SPARC programs are made possible, in part, by the generous support of:
