Each year several hundred children from Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties participate in Kids’ College at Carnegie Hall. This two-week enrichment program encourages creativity and inquisitiveness for children from kindergarten through seventh grade as they explore the arts and sciences. During the two-week program, the students rotate through five classes each day. Choosing their own track, they discover the magic of their artistic spirit and creativity with hands-on experiences under the direction of accomplished artists and teachers. Classes offered include pottery, dance, cooking, drama, Lego robotics and GPS, painting, sculpture, weaving, and much more. Carnegie Hall is very proud that no child has been denied participation in Kids’ College for financial reasons. Financial aid has been provided to approximately 20 percent of the participating children through the support of a number of organizations and individuals. Primary among those supporters is the United Way of the Greenbrier Valley, which annually underwrites 67 percent of the scholarships. In 2015, this amounted to 41 students. Without this generous support, Carnegie Hall would be forced to divert funding from other programs or limit Kids’ College to families who can afford the full tuition. Some inquire about the wisdom of supporting an umbrella organization such as United Way when they already support Carnegie Hall. United Way of the Greenbrier Valley’s support of Carnegie Hall extends beyond the programming and exhibits of the general fund to the specific need of scholarships for children. Thus, the umbrella of United Way becomes a tent, providing the enrichment of Kids’ College for every child within the community. To learn more about Carnegie Hall Kids’ College, contact Education Director Leah Trent at 304-645-7917. To support this very worthwhile community endeavor and 23 more non-profits in Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas Counties, visit United Way of the Greenbrier Valley at www.UWGBV.org/donate or call us at 304-647-3783.
