Is the arts center being designed to support a "conversion" or "charter" school for performing arts?

No. At the time the arts center was being planned and designed, there was no discussion of a charter school. New Albany School District, after the arts center was planned, received a federal grant for over $300,000 to study the feasibility of establishing a separate school to support arts education. The study is just that – a free look at whether such a school is needed or viable. By accepting the grant and studying models around the country it was anticipated that, at the very least, New Albany would benefit from the information gathered that could enhance the district's arts education curriculum. The district recently announced plans to establish a new concept arts program in the K-1 building. This too, is not related to the arts center. The new program is being funded through a federal grant and is designed to use the arts as a means to educate the children in core curriculum areas. The New Albany Community Foundation endowments are for the purpose of enriching the curriculum for ...  more