ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
LAUNCHES ARTIST SCHOLAR SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

 This new fundraising program is expected to raise $500,000 annually in support of the school’s arts conservatory programs, with nearly $300,000 already committed this year.
See our ads in the Orange County Register, the Orange County Business Journal and the Los Angeles Business Journal.

January, 2005 - The Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA), a nationally recognized arts school that provides bright and talented students with a creative and challenging educational environment, enthusiastically launches an Artist Scholar Sponsorship Program today that is expected to raise $500,000 each year in support of the school’s 11 pre-professional arts training programs.

An accredited public charter school, OCHSA receives money from the State of California to fund its top-ranking academic program. However, the school relies on the generosity of individual donors, the business community, and foundations to fund the 11 pre-professional arts conservatory programs. The school must raise more than $3 million this year—approximately $2,500 per student—to continue offering a comprehensive arts program. Nearly 25 percent of the school’s 1,250 students are in need of financial assistance. Funds raised through this campaign will sponsor these students arts experience for the 2004-2005 school year.

At a time when arts education has been virtually eliminated from traditional high schools, OCHSA’s conservatory programs have never been more important. Every dollar donated to the school benefits both arts education and is an investment in the future of a talented young student.

Our bright and talented students have proven themselves both academically and artistically,” said Ralph S. Opacic, Ed.D., OCHSA president and executive director. “They’ve already been accepted into our highly competitive, top-ranking institution, and now need your help to continue on their path to academic and artistic excellence.”

To date, OCHSA has received nearly $300,000 in lead gifts towards its new Artist Scholar Sponsorship Program including very generous gifts of $100,000 from the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation, $50,000 from John and Sandy Daniels and $25,000 gifts from both Robert and Carole Follman and the Law Office of Federico C. Sayre. Other lead donors include Rick and Nancy Muth, Fluor Foundation, AXA-Advisors, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Entelechy Training & Development, Terry and Sandra McGovern, Orange County Teachers Federal Credit Union, Jeffrey and Lisa Metzger, Compro Search, and Ted and Janice Smith. The following is a complete list of lead donors:

Patrons may support OCHSA’s Artist Scholar Sponsorship Program with a tax-deductible donation to assist students in one or all of the following arts conservatories: ballet folklorico, classical/contemporary dance, commercial dance, creative writing, film and television, instrumental music, integrated arts, music and theatre, opera, production and design and visual arts. The following support levels are currently available:

Help the school reach its $500,000 goal for the 2004-2005 school year by making a tax-deductible donation today online at www.ocsarts.net.  Checks can be made payable to OCHSA Foundation and mailed to 1010 N. Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92701, Attention: Artist Scholar Sponsorship Program. For additional information, or to make a gift, contact Sue Totten, Vice President of Development and Board Relations, at (714) 560-0900 Ext. 5533 or sue.totten@ocsarts.net. 
 
About Orange County High School of the Arts:
The nationally recognized Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA) provides a creative, challenging and nurturing environment that offers bright and talented students unparalleled preparation for higher education and a profession in the arts. It is the only specialized arts program of its kind in the region to offer tuition-free academic and arts instruction to students from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. For additional information, visit www.ocsarts.net.