GIFTEDACADEMY

WE DEFEND AND NURTURE THE GIFTS IN BLACK AND BROWN YOUTH

Enrollment Closed!

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Join the Waitlist for 2024 - 2025

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Enrollment Closed! | Join the Waitlist for 2024 - 2025 |

THE ATTACK

Even before 2020, Black and Brown children have been forced to engage with a reality that suggests they are not worthy of being alive or not deserving of equitable opportunities to survive, let alone thrive. 

Systematic RACISM, the effects of SOCIAL MEDIA, LIMITED ACCESS to opportunities and resources weigh heavy on our youth. The intent of these oppressive systems is to control and degrade our talented, gifted young people to the lowest class. 

The negative impacts of these forces are noted in the increase of children facing mental and physical health issues, a decrease in confidence and self-worth, and a rise in anxiety and trauma.

OUR RESPONSE

We Amplify the morals and values taught in the home, surrounding our artists with intentional care and support.

We Celebrate the culture and gifts of our artists in every practice, performance, stage, and with every audience.

We use Knowledge to understand the truth about ourselves, our culture's richness, and to arm us with the answers and solutions to oppressive systems.

Through intense year on year training and curriculum, we develop Skills and reinforce Habits that translate to our artists finding accomplishment and fulfillment in their current and future lives

The artists that spend multiple years invested in GiftedAcdemy results in the development of an Achievement Roadmap. 

GIFTEDACADEMY

GiftedAcademy is our premier youth performance academy. We use our custom formula and curriculum to build confidence, leadership, and artistic development, while teaching critical thinking, literacy, professionalism, and presentation skills. Our core purpose is to create a safe space where young people can explore their identity, discover their purpose and greatness, and cultivate skills that allow them to flourish in all areas of their lives.

SESSION TIMES: Academy members meet weekly on Saturday from September - May at our main site. Currently, all academies meet from 10a-2:30p

LOCATION: 410-170 Glenwood Ave Raleigh, NC, 27603

  • This address will likely take you to Sullivan's Steakhouse, but if you drive around back, you access our business and a few others from the main parking lot.

  • The best way to access the studio is through the Tucker Street entrance through the paid parking lot. For reference, it's the lot behind Sullivan's Steakhouse on Glenwood and next to Jawbreakers Boxing.  

  • There is also Free parking on West Street (intersecting street) and meter parking on Tucker street and Glenwood Ave.

COST: $60/month with an enrollment fee of $100. Financial assistance is available upon request.

 

JUNIORACADEMY (3RD - 5TH)

Artists engage in community performance training, while fostering social-emotional learning and development

TIME: Saturdays at 10A -2:30 PM

MINIACADEMY (K - 2ND)

Artists engage in community performance training, while fostering social-emotional learning and development

TIME: Saturdays at 10A - 12PM:

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COREACADEMY (6TH - 8TH)

Artists engage in community performance development and leadership training activities.

TIME: Saturdays at 10A -2:30 PM

 

SENIORACADEMY (9TH - 12TH)

Artists engage in community performance and  leadership development, future pathway guidance experiences, workforce training, with opportunities for employment with TheGifted Arts.

TIME: Saturdays at 10a-2:30p

PERFORMING ARTS

  • Our certified artistic instructors help our students explore the benefits of movement, as our students engage in hip hop, African, Latin, and European dance technique. Artists are encouraged to apply the skills learned and train as choreographers, as they teach and present their original pieces at our annual showcase, GiftedExperience.

  • We invite artists and community members that have been a part of the rich tradition of Stepping to pass down the artistic lore. Stepping is an energetic percussive form of art that has been made popular from African American fraternities and sororities from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The rich tradition of stepping can be traced back to the 1880s, where South African miners created the “Gumboot Dance” art form, as a way to survive the isolation and secretly communicate with each other as they endured the weight of a migrant labor system and oppressive laws.

  • Our annual Fashion Show mega production is our culminating event, where our artists present the year's theme through runway fashion and performance. Our opening number celebrates our heritage, while other scenes are mini showcases highlighting the personal character development each student has navigated throughout the year.

  • We engage local artists to instruct master classes preparing our youth artists to deliver a yearly theater production. Our original shows are based on themes that reflect the cultural richness, beauty, stories of triumph and resilience of our black and brown communities. Our youth artists immerse in literature and discussions to understand the context and relevance of the message so they can deliver powerful performances to engage, inspire, educate, and empower the audiences.

  • We teach music production, songwriting, vocal performance, and stage presence. Our music programming is centered around individual expression through music.

  • We use poetry to speak to social justice, politics, race, and community issues.