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Chicago Academy for the Arts Marks 41st Year with Major Event, $1 Million Challenge

Chicago Academy for the Arts Marks 41st Year with Major Event, $1 Million Challenge

March 27, 2023

CHICAGO - MARCH 16, 2023 - For more than four decades, The Chicago Academy for the Arts (The Academy) has provided world-class education for aspiring young artists in the fields of music, dance, theatre, media arts, musical theatre, and visual arts. To celebrate this legacy, The Academy is pleased to host ​ Inspire: The Red Carpet Gala - an event that spotlights its diverse creative disciplines in a Hollywood, red carpet award show setting - at Chicago's Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel on Saturday April 1, 2023 . Several alumni, current and former students, and distinguished guests will be in attendance. 

Last month, Chicago Academy for the Arts alum and world-renowned songwriter Justin Tranter donated $500,000 - the largest single donation in the school’s history - and announced a community-wide challenge to build engagement to raise $1 million by June 30, 2023.

Not only did this school make me the artist and songwriter I am today but it saved my life in more ways than I can count. Nothing makes me prouder than to be able to support a place that educates brilliant young creatives and more importantly, gives them a foundation of compassion, community and confidence.
​​
​- Justin Tranter (they/them) - 1998, Musical Theatre

As one of Chicago's leading arts and culture high schools, and one of the most diverse schools in Illinois, The Academy created an unmatched and transformative educational model. Students are inspired to expand their potential through rigorous arts training paired with an esteemed academic curriculum.

Chicago Academy for the Arts awarded more tuition assistance in the past 12 months than ever before. Justin’s generous gift, and the funds raised through the Million Dollar Challenge enables The Academy to make a world-class education accessible to all aspiring young artists. ​
​​
​- Jason Patera, Chicago Academy for the Arts Head of School

Notable alumni of The Academy include Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live actor, author, comedian - 2002, Theatre), Lara Flynn Boyle (award-winning actress - 1988, Theatre), Justin Tranter (award-winning musician and music producer - 1998, Musical Theatre), Lalah Hathaway (award-winning singer - 1986, Music), Tom Gold (award-winning choreographer - 1986, Dance), and Kevin Miles (actor and current "Jake from State Farm" - 2008, Theatre).

Graduates of The Academy earned more than $40 million in college scholarships over the past five years and gained admission to the nation’s best universities and conservatories. Most students go on to pursue competitive careers in the arts, as well as the sciences, humanities, business, and more. Alumni exemplify the powerful effect of art and arts education as Broadway stars, GRAMMY award winners, engineers, and entrepreneurs. This special evening will highlight students, alumni, and all those that call The Academy “home.”

The Academy would like to thank the Gala Chair Nadine Mallick, as well as the gala's sponsors: 

  • Justin Tranter
  • Michael & Kelly Finnerty
  • Emily Barr & Scott Kane
  • Rusty Hernandez-Sanfilippo & Jeffrey Sanfilippo
  • The Bayless Family
  • Todd & Sharon Walbert
  • Carlos & Dr. Marina Claudio
  • Dr. Serafin DeLeon & Dr. Jennifer Chan
  • Nora Fleming
  • Krista Linn & Dominique Leonardi
  • Law Office of Nishay K. Sanan, Esq.
  • Richard & Susan Sanders
  • Terri & Michael Freeman

 

 

Chicago Academy for the Arts | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.org
Chicago Academy for the Arts | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.org
Chicago Academy for the Arts | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.org

 

Chicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Music department students perform “Looking Back,” an original piece by The Academy Electronic Ensemble. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Music department students perform “Looking Back,” an original piece by The Academy Electronic Ensemble. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts alum Justin Tranter (they/them/their) addresses 40th Anniversary Gala guests from their home in Los Angeles. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts alum Justin Tranter (they/them/their) addresses 40th Anniversary Gala guests from their home in Los Angeles. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.org
Chicago Academy for the Arts Head of School Jason Patera thanks 40th Anniversary Gala guests for their continued support. Mr. Patera is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Head of School Jason Patera thanks 40th Anniversary Gala guests for their continued support. Mr. Patera is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot welcomes Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala guests and announces Saturday May 14, 2022, as THE CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS DAY in the City of Chicago. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot welcomes Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala guests and announces Saturday May 14, 2022, as THE CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS DAY in the City of Chicago. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.org
Chicago restauranteur Rick Bayless surprises 40th Anniversary Gala guests by offering, for charity auction, a private dinner at his home. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago restauranteur Rick Bayless surprises 40th Anniversary Gala guests by offering, for charity auction, a private dinner at his home. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts alum and 40th Anniversary Gala emcee DeMone Seraphin. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts alum and 40th Anniversary Gala emcee DeMone Seraphin. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Music department students share their experiences at The Academy with 40th Anniversary Gala emcee DeMone Seraphin. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Music department students share their experiences at The Academy with 40th Anniversary Gala emcee DeMone Seraphin. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.org
Chicago Academy for the Arts Music department students perform “Looking Back,” an original piece by The Academy Electronic Ensemble. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Music department students perform “Looking Back,” an original piece by The Academy Electronic Ensemble. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts alum Justin Tranter (they/them/their) shares photographs from their career since graduating The Academy in 1998. Pictured here with Elton John . | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts alum Justin Tranter (they/them/their) shares photographs from their career since graduating The Academy in 1998. Pictured here with Elton John . | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.org
Chicago Academy for the Arts Music department students perform “Looking Back,” an original piece by The Academy Electronic Ensemble. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Music department students perform “Looking Back,” an original piece by The Academy Electronic Ensemble. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.org
Chicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.orgChicago Academy for the Arts Dance department performs “As One,” an original piece choreographed by Dance department chair Randy Duncan at The Chicago Academy for the Arts 40th Anniversary Gala. | ChicagoAcademyForTheArts.org
Ryan Arnold

Ryan Arnold

President, DeSoto & State Communications, DeSoto & State Communications
[email protected](312) 600-7380

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About The Chicago Academy for the Arts

The Chicago Academy for the Arts (The Academy) is a nationally recognized independent high school for the performing and visual arts.

 

Designated a National School of Distinction by the John F. Kennedy Center, The Academy offers students the opportunity to engage in a unique co-curricular program: rigorous, college-preparatory academic classes and professional-level arts training in the context of an unparalleled school culture. The Academy’s school day consists of a modified block schedule of three 75-minute blocks of academic courses and a 45-minute flex period followed by a three-plus hour immersion in a student's chosen arts department: Dance, Media Arts (filmmaking, animation, creative writing), Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, and Visual Arts. At The Chicago Academy for the Arts, young artists master the skills necessary for academic success, critical thought, and creative expression.

 

The Chicago Academy for the Arts is an Illinois 501(c)3 organization. Click here to learn more or donate.

Contact

1010 West Chicago Chicago, IL 60642

312-421-0202

[email protected]

www.chicagoacademyforthearts.org