DUBOIS – A pilot program began at the beginning of this school year between the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology, located in Brockway, and DuBois Central Catholic.
The mission of BCAT is to inspire youth through the arts, especially students in grades nine through twelve. BCAT when approached by Karrie Miller, K-12 Principal, to provide arts to the DCC school system took a look at how to align the BCAT mission with DCC’s art programming.
The program was approved by Mrs. Deborah Heigel, M.Ed/BCAT executive director. “Partnering with DCC helps fulfill our mission of inspiring and developing youth through the arts.
“Our outreach to the schools last year was curtailed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Center has reworked its approach to reach students and the community through differing outreach methods.”
“BCAT and DCC hope with the new opportunities presented to the DCC students, that they will want to take advantage of the after-school free programing offered by BCAT in Brockway. Helping to maintain and grow the arts in schools has always been an important goal for us at BCAT also,” stated Heigel.
Miller added, “The partnership will continue to encourage our students to identify and develop their God-given talents in preparation for making their unique contributions to the world.
“The added bonus is that our students will meet artists from around the country who have varied art techniques and mediums.”
Nicole Snyder has been appointed the DCC/BCAT liaison to manage the program and to ensure its success. Through her hard work and coordinating efforts, this program was able to start on day one of the 2021-2022 school years.
Any parent questions or concerns about the pilot program should be directed to Nicole Snyder. Liana Agnew and Matt Zorn have been named as the artists-in-residence for this school year.
Agnew teaches in the elementary art room and Zorn is in the high school art room. Visiting artists will be introduced throughout the school year, including guest lecturers from Manchester Bidwell Corp.
All students will learn the elements and principles of design and art history. Art helps the observer to re-center themselves.
The children will learn the importance of art in all aspects of life, including clothing, music and architecture. Students will also be encouraged to think about how they feel when they are doing art, do they feel calm? Do they feel relaxed?
The BCAT Center was established in 2013 by Bill Strickland and a group of community leaders. Bill is a community leader, author and the president and chief executive officer of the non-profit Manchester Bidwell Corp., based in Pittsburgh.
Its subsidiaries include the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and Bidwell Training Center. The company works with youth through involvement with the arts and provides relevant job training for adults all at no cost.
BCAT is the first replication of the highly successful Manchester Bidwell Corp. in a rural environment. There are thirteen other Centers throughout the United States and one in Israel. The primary focus is to provide people an opportunity for success.