“Next-level.” This is the phrase I used to describe the very first Ipswich Middle School musical I attended, and I’ve felt the same about every single concert and show I have seen since.
How lucky are we to be witnesses to the incredible displays of artistry that our students and faculty make look so easy? As we all know, it takes an awful lot of hard work and practice to make something look effortless.
This, more than anything, is what I believe a first-rate arts education teaches our kids: that when you put in the work, you can accomplish amazing things — which is a lesson EVERYONE needs.
We are extremely fortunate to live in a town whose school administration believes in the importance of an education in the fine arts. Because of this support, our schools have been able to attract and retain some of the very finest arts teachers — teachers who have time and again demonstrated their unflagging dedication to and support of our students’ learning. They have set a bar for excellence in the arts from which the entire community benefits; however, to sustain this effort requires support beyond the school budget.
This is where IMADA comes in. IMADA is a non-profit founded to act as a support organization for fine arts education in Ipswich. Last school year alone, through the generous donations of people like you, IMADA was able to provide:
$4,521 for special faculty-requested enrichment initiatives, such as master classes and guest artists,
$10,000 in scholarships for our graduating seniors to continue their arts studies post-high school, and
$11,670 in summer arts study grants for students in 6th-12th grades to enable the continuation of private instruction in their chosen art field over the summer. This is a 20% increase over 2021, in response to a huge increase in demand for this program.
Please join us in showing your support for our faculty and our students by helping to provide the resources to keep our arts education in Ipswich “next-level.” To make a donation online, visit imadaonline.org, givebutter.com/imada, donate via paypal using the QR code shown here or mail in the enclosed form.
Thank you! Meg Travis, President Ipswich Music, Art & Drama Association
PS — If you are interested in supporting IMADA with your time and talent, please reach out to us at imadaorg@gmail.com. We always need volunteers.