The Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG) is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with the Ithaca (New York) City School District to support and celebrate all the arts for all the kids. FABG is an affiliate of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative.

Latest News

Spring Booster Meeting March 31

Posted Fri, 03/05/2010 - 6:57pm

The Ithaca Community Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, will hold its next general meeting of the 2009-10 school year on March 31, Wednesday, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. in the Ithaca High H Courtyard, near the main office. Interested parents and community members are invited to attend. Snacks will be provided. The boosters serve all the elementary, middle and high schools in the Ithaca District.

The March 31 meeting will include a discussion of the proposed district budget and the arts impact. In addition, special guest presenters will discuss arts and inclusion.

Special guest presenters are Jeff Claus, Ithaca College Associate Professor in the Department of Education, and Baruch Whitehead, Ithaca College Associate Professor of Music Education....(read more)

Boynton Band News - Concert and Awards

Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 10:06am

March 10, 2010, Concert Features World Premieres

The Boynton Middle School Concert Band and Symphonic Band will give the world premiere performances of two new works for band at the Festival of Music Concert on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 7:00pm, at Boynton Middle School. Ithaca College Composition Majors Christopher LaRosa and Drew Schweppe, students of Sally Lamb, have collaborated with Michael W. Allen, Director of Bands, to present these new compositions. Mr. Schweppe has written a programmatic work entitled, “Lazy Storm Breakdown”, for the 6th grade Symphonic Band members. Mr. LaRosa has written a contemporary work entitled, “Magellan’s Quest”, for the 7-8 grade Concert Band members....(read more)

Artist Table at Superintendent Conference Day

Posted Wed, 02/10/2010 - 12:55pm

Thanks to the Community Arts Partnership’s STARR Coordinator Holly Adams and ICSD Staff Development Director Kim Fontana for arranging a teaching artists table during the upcoming Superintendent’s Conference day. Artists who do school residencies will have their material available in the Ithaca High cafeteria.

March 19th, at Ithaca High School, for the two lunch sessions of Superintendent’s Day.

Boynton MS Winter Choral Concert

Posted Thu, 01/21/2010 - 11:30am by Lesley Greene
Boynton MS Winter Choral Concert

7th & 8th grade choirs accompanied by Mary Ann Erickson, piano, and Robert Winans & Robert Dietz, percussion, conducted by Nathan Parker

Boynton MS Winter Choral Concert

Posted Thu, 01/21/2010 - 11:26am by Lesley Greene
Boynton MS Winter Choral Concert

The 6th grade chorus, directed by Robert Winans

Boynton MS Winter Choral Concert

Posted Thu, 01/21/2010 - 11:22am by Lesley Greene
Boynton MS Winter Choral Concert

7th & 8th grade choir, directed by Nathan Parker

Recyling Efforts Benefit Arts and Tech

Posted Mon, 01/18/2010 - 4:42pm

Besides our ongoing efforts to recycle used instruments (repair them and give them to the district for student use), booster volunteer Joanne Trutko has helped us make another recycling connection. Cornell’s Rand Hall has paper and other items to recycle at the end of each semester. This semester LACS and IHS art and tech students benefited from this effort.

Thanks to Cornell’s Steve Yaros and Rich Jaenson and Joanne! Our schools have a truck bed and van full of materials they did not have before!

Feb 1 Mini Grant Deadline

Posted Tue, 01/05/2010 - 1:31pm

ARTS BOOSTER MINI-GRANT DEADLINE: Feb 1, 2010

The Ithaca Community Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, has teacher mini-grants available for dance, drama, music and arts support or projects. The final 2009-2010 deadlines is Feb 1, 2010. Teachers and principals are eligible to apply and applications are available by calling 277-4631 or emailing president@fabgithaca.org Forms are also available at our web site www.fabgithaca.org under the receive tab.

Past mini-grants have included Kindergarten through Grade 12 support for visiting artists, cameras for a photography class, a student art exhibit, theater supplies, a mural and a pre-school dance residency, for example. The Fine Arts Boosters have awarded over $45,000 in grants to district-wide activities....(read more)

Fall Meeting Notes on Culturally Affirming Education

Posted Tue, 12/29/2009 - 9:46am

Presentation at Fine Arts Booster Group Meeting November 3, 2009 Guest presenter: Sofia Villenas

Sofia Villenas, Associate Professor of Education and Latino/a Studies and Program Leader for Learning, Teaching and Social Policy, was the guest presenter at the fall meeting of the Fine Arts Booster Group.

Sofia’s work focuses on preparing teachers to teach a diverse student body. Her research is ongoing and looks at what contributes to a culturally affirming education. A critical and culturally affirming education (and the art of “becoming”) involves academic achievement, civic engagement and identity development. (adapted from Duncan-Andrade and Morrell, 2008).

Sofia relayed her own story, her Ecuador roots, and her family perspective....(read more)

Art for All

Posted Mon, 12/14/2009 - 1:27pm

The Life Skills Class at Ithaca High School is an Individual Education Plan (IEP)-based program for students with development disabilities. Students in this class focus on practical living skills, basic academics and transition to employment beyond high school. In 2008-2009, art teacher Helen Bigsby partnered with the Special Education Department to offer classes other than the core content to Life Skills students.

This partnership resulted in students exploring the art-making process. Students progressed from a perception that they could not draw or make art to recognizing their creative potential. Students uncovered their own artistic abilities and aesthetic decision making skills and found joy and pride in the results of their efforts....(read more)

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