MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) – Sunday marked a historic milestone for the arts in the state of Alabama.
The Floretta P. Carson Visual and Performing Arts Academy, the first of its kind in the state, opened on Cottage Hill Road.
In 2023, the Alabama Public Charter School Commission voted unanimously to approve the academy. Dr. Krista Williams, superintendent and CEO of Floretta P. Carson Academy, says the birth of this school has been a long time coming.
“We have applied for as many grants as possible – many donors from across the state of Alabama who are part of this journey – that can fund this and recognize the importance of this,” she said.
Dr. Williams says the college preparatory school prepares students in grades 6 through 12 for a variety of careers in the arts.
“They have over 15 art conservatories to participate in, including the music school, the dance school, the fine arts school and the theater school,” she explained.
“When our students graduate from Floretta P, they receive either a certificate or an associate degree from Bishop State Community College, so we are excited to offer this opportunity to our students,” said Gerald Archard, Director of Arts at Floretta P. Carson.
Archard says he wishes he had had such opportunities as a young artist.
“I am a product of Mobile County Public Schools and wish we had had a space like this when I came to school. I was able to be surrounded by students who had the same mindset as me and not have to worry about arts or arts funding being cut or reduced for our programs, which is something I experienced while I was in school. So I look forward to giving students an experience they may not be able to have elsewhere,” he explained.
Jada Johnson is a first-year student at this school. She is a talented pianist and has a big dream.
“I’ve been playing for 11 years and I’m 14 now. I love the sound. I want to be as famous as Alicia Keys,” Johnson said.
Dr. Williams says the school has had to limit its enrollment to 265 students, not to mention the long waiting list.
“Our goal is to expand, find new premises and build buildings that can accommodate the number of students who want to attend the school,” she added.
The Floretta P. Carson School is named after a local musician, educator and composer. Floretta’s daughter, Dr. Hannah Hart, says she is overwhelmed and touched to see this dream become a reality.
“Her mantra was, ‘If I can help someone as I die, then my life has not been in vain.’ And she did everything she could to help young people learn to play. If they wanted to learn to play, she would invest time and effort to help them. I would imagine this performing arts school being a place and a space where our children can really grow and thrive,” Dr. Hart said.
Dr. Hart says Dr. Williams, the school’s founder, was one of her mother’s students. She says she can’t wait to see the future of the arts in the port city.
The school has over 30 staff members and students are selected by lottery.
Copyright 2024 WALA. All rights reserved.
