CPAC donates to area school districts

From Staff Reports

Some local school districts recently benefitted from donations following the dissolution of the Cass Performing Arts Council (CPAC).
Receiving funding were Atlanta, Queen City, Linden-Kildare, Bloomburg and McLeod.
The Council (CPAC) Board of Directors voted to dissolve the nonprofit group after several years of inactivity due to the past economic downturn. 
Pursuant to its mission to further cultural and educational opportunities in the fine arts for Cass County, the board has redistributed the group’s remaining funds to county school districts.
Schools that requested funding pledged to dedicate the funding toward arts education and to recognize CPAC patrons/ members for their support in any promotion of subsequent activities. 
CPAC wishes to thank its patrons/ members, as well as the Texas Commission for the Arts, the Mid-America Arts Association and the National Endowment for the Arts for their past support in helping to bring high quality, professional artists to schools and public performances.
Some of the artists that CPAC contracted for performances in schools, church and community centers throughout the county included finalists from the Van Cliburn Piano Competitions, Acoustic Eidolon ( a cell/ guit-jo duo), the Texas Gypsies (swing ensemble), Shreveport Symphony’s Chamber Ensemble, the E-Flat Porch Band (since, invited back for Wildflower Festival) and John Two-Hawks (Native American flute).
“CPAC believes that the arts not only enrich our lives, communities and culture, but are vital to a child’s education. 
“As research continues to reveal, art education provides improvement in student skills in reading and language, mathematics, critical thinking, socialization and motivation,” Daniel Jones with CPAC said. 
“CPAC hopes the distribution of its remaining funds promotes a positive environment to the school that requested funds.”