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

Ithaca High School Band Celebrates its Centennial!

Posted Sat, 05/20/2017 - 1:14pm

The Ithaca High School (I.H.S.) Band is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a concert and special musical commission by Michael Markowski. Grants awards funded the composition including a Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG) special grant and an IPEI Red and Gold Grant supported by the I.H.S. Class of 1961 in honor of its 55th reunion last summer.

The premiere of the work, in celebration of the I.H.S. Band’s 100 years, will be at the I.H.S. Band Concert on June 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the I.H.S. Performing Arts Center’s Kulp Auditorium. The event is free and the public is invited to a reception following the concert.

Markowski has composed over 25 works for wind bands over the last ten years, and frequently visits schools to tell stories about music....(read more)

David Brown returns as Fine Arts Director

Posted Mon, 04/24/2017 - 10:01am

The Fine Arts Booster Group welcomes the return of David Brown as ICSD Fine Arts Director. David was tapped as Chief Administrative Officer in the last year and a half. During this time period, a search was conducted for another director. The search was to reopen this spring. The district, in looking at administrative changes, appointed Michael Simon as the Chief Administrative Officer. The booster group is excited to be able to welcome David Brown back to the arts director position and support his vision for arts education in our district.

District Jazz Concert

Posted Mon, 04/24/2017 - 9:55am

Ithaca City School District Joint Jazz Concert

(ITHACA) The Ithaca City School District will hold the third annual Joint Jazz Concert, featuring the bands of Ithaca High, DeWitt and Boynton Middle Schools, on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ithaca High School Performing Arts Center Kulp Auditorium. Admission is free. A Fine Arts Booster Group grant supported guest musician Camille Thurman. Ms. Thurman will be featured on saxophone and voice.

For more information about the booster group, contact Co-Presidents Vanessa Wagner and Alice Wu at president@fabgithaca.org or (607) 256-4734....(read more)

Updated List of April Saltonstall Teachers

Posted Mon, 04/03/2017 - 2:43pm

The Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts, in partnership with the Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, is offering a creative retreat for teachers of the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers and other districts in Tompkins County during the February and April school breaks. The program is designed to provide residency-type retreats for local teachers in the following disciplines: creative writing, photography/film/video, and painting/sculpture/visual art. The program is totally free to attend. Teachers were selected through a lottery system....(read more)

Saltonstall February Teacher Residency

Posted Sun, 03/26/2017 - 7:15am by Gail Brisson

During the February break, the first group of teachers enjoyed time to work on their art and share stories about their work with students.

Kari Krakow works on painting.
large_KariKrakowSaltonstall Feb 2017.jpg

Teachers enjoying dinner together Saltonstall Feb 2017_0.jpg

BOOSTER GROUP MEETING ON ARTS UPDATES

Posted Mon, 02/13/2017 - 8:14pm by Gail Brisson

The Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, will hold a general meeting

Monday, February 13, 2017, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the Ithaca High School Fine and Performing Arts

Center lobby. The public is invited to hear arts updates from Chief Administrative Officer David

Brown, interim Fine and Performing Arts Director Steve Beamish, music teacher Karla Notarianni

and art teacher Ana Goldsmith, as well as information about FABG goals. The boosters serve all

the elementary and secondary schools in the Ithaca City School District (ICSD). The public is

invited. Food will be provided.

For more information about the booster group, contact Co-Presidents Vanessa Wagner and Alice

Wu at president@fabgithaca.org or (607)277-4631....(read more)

Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts Partners with Fine Arts Boosters to Host Teacher Retreat: Teachers Announced

Posted Mon, 02/13/2017 - 8:13pm by Gail Brisson

The Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts, in partnership with the Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, is offering a creative retreat for teachers of the Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers and other districts in Tompkins County during the February and April school breaks. The program is designed to provide residency-type retreats for local teachers in the following disciplines: creative writing, photography/film/video, and painting/sculpture/visual art. The program is totally free to attend. Teachers were selected through a lottery system.

February session teachers:...(read more)

  • Edna Brown, social worker at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School
  • Brooke Burnett, third grade teacher at Beverly J.

FINE ARTS BOOSTER GROUP AWARDS GRANTS TO SUPPORT ITHACA ARTS EDUCATION

Posted Sun, 01/01/2017 - 12:31pm by Gail Brisson

(Ithaca) The Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, has awarded $8,170 in grants to 16 Ithaca City School District (ICSD) projects that will reach 2,224 students. Funded projects include support for Saltonstall Teacher Residency; Ithaca High Band’s 100th Anniversary Commission and Concert; DeWitt’s Jazz Appreciation Concert and Orchestra NYS Baroque Concert; Ithaca High’s Visual Arts Memory Project, Ithaca High Choir’s sight singing; Beverly J. Martin Elementary’s “Meet Me Where I Am” with dancer Lisa Tsetse; Fall Creek Elementary’s Songwriters’ Workshop; Belle Sherman Elementary’s Step Up and Speak Out Concert; and Cayuga Heights Elementary’s Mosaic Mural Project....(read more)

Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts Partners with Fine Arts Boosters to Host Teacher Retreat: Deadline for Applicatio

Posted Sun, 10/23/2016 - 11:12am by Gail Brisson

The Saltonstall Foundation and Arts Colony, in partnership with the Fine Arts Booster Group (FABG), an affiliate of IPEI, is offering a five-day, four-night retreat for Ithaca City School District (ICSD) teachers during the school break weeks of February 18-22, 2017 and April 15-19, 2017. New this year is the choice of weeks and the opportunity to experience the retreat with teachers from other districts. This residency is designed to provide a residency-type retreat for local ICSD teachers in the following disciplines: creative writing, photography/film/video, and painting/sculpture/visual art. The program is totally free to attend. Hearty vegetarian dinners will be prepared each night. Overnight stays are encouraged but not mandatory....(read more)

ICSD RECIPIENT OF 2016 PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD FOR MUSIC

Posted Mon, 10/10/2016 - 10:34am by Gail Brisson

The Ithaca City School District is the recipient of the 2016 Presidential Citation Award for music. ICSD is one of two school districts honored with this distinguished award this year.

The NYSSMA® Presidential Citation Award is given to districts that act as models for music education programs in New York State and provide a well-rounded music program at all levels. ICSD has been building the music program over the last five years. Student participation is up over 120 percent.

“There has been an increase in the outreach to our community,” said David Brown, ICSD Chief Administration Officer and Director of Fine & Performing Arts. “Music education is available to everyone. Anyone who can’t afford a musical instrument is provided one by the district....(read more)

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