We are all works of art in progress

Despite many challenges, the students, teachers, and administration at the Academy continued to make progress on a variety of projects. With help from the Harding Fine Arts Academy Foundation, they were able to meet the needs of the students and teachers, provide fun digital programming, and start renovations on the historic school building.

Virtual Leadership in Arts & Education Awards

Due to COVID-19, the annual Leadership in Arts & Education Awards was switched to a virtual format. In 2020 the award ceremony was pre-recorded and shared online for patrons to watch. Renate and Chuck Wiggin were honored with the John & Joy Reed Belt Award and BancFirst was honored with the Community Impact Award. These awards are given to persons, couples and corporations who have made a sustained and lasting impact on arts and education in Oklahoma City.

Bridging the Technical Divide

As students and teachers moved to an online, virtual learning environment, it was imperative we do everything possible to properly equip and empower students for success. With help from the community, the Foundation was able to raise nearly $25,000 to provide laptops to all teachers and students who needed one as well as give internet access to those who did not have a reliable, consistent connection.

Take Center Stage

In the fall of 2020, we upgraded our auditorium by installing a new 20-foot projector screen, high-definition projector, sound system, and lighting system. This long overdue renovation would not have been possible without the support of our generous donors and patrons. COVID-19 prevented students from taking full advantage of the new technology, but the students are eager and ready to take center stage this school year.

The Little Musical that Could

This past year has been especially hard on the students who have not been able to practice their artistic craft. But that did not stop the Original Musical Writing Club! For five weeks they met over video conference calls to write, compose, design, choreograph, and stage an original musical. They had the opportunity to perform At World’s End in the newly upgraded auditorium in March. That same evening, Senior Annie Brown presented her original work, Dear Pen Pal for the community. This performance was the only live performance at Harding. Audience and cast members were socially distanced and performers were required to wear clear see-through masks.

Teacher Resource Fund

In February of 2021, the Foundation embarked on a crowdfunding campaign with the help of the teachers and staff for the Teacher Resource Fund. This fund is used exclusively for teacher classrooms to help them purchase supplies, equipment, and materials. Through their diligent work, the teachers raised a little over $4,000 for their classrooms. With students working and learning from home, all funds had to be used for distance learning needs. Teachers were able to provide take-home art kits, purchase document cameras, new audio equipment, and new video cameras for their virtual classrooms.

Ignite Imagination

Thanks to the dedicated support of the HFAA Foundation and the Parent Teacher Organization, the library is on its ways to being fully functional next school year. The PTO has collected and sorted hundreds of books, purchased a digital checkout system and have begun adding barcodes and cataloging all of the books. The next step is to add new furniture to make the space inviting, comfortable, and functional.

Unconventional Art

Another casualty of the pandemic was Harding’s annual arts festival – Ignite Arts Festival. Every March, students from the Academy submit artwork to be displayed and sold during the festival as well as perform live for friends and family. This Festival not only showcases the talent at Harding, but it also acts as a fundraiser for the Fine Arts Department. This March, the Ignite Arts Festival went virtual. Performances from students were pre-recorded and released online throughout the day. Artwork was submitted by students and displayed in our online gallery. The gallery can still be viewed at www.igniteartsfestival.com.

Prom – A Teenage Rite of Passage

Senior Prom is a rite of passage for many young people – it is indicative of their transition from teenagers to young adults. It is meant to be a celebration of their high school experience; the last hurrah! However, Prom can be expensive. This financial barrier could prevent students from enjoying or participating in the experience. Jamese Siranga, HFAA Student Support Specialist, set out to re-establish the prom closet for the students at Harding. “Everyone deserves to feel confident on their prom night.” said Mrs. Siranga. This closet provides dresses, handbags, shoes, jewelry, and menswear for the students to borrow on their big night. A special thanks to Tres Jolie for providing dozens of dresses and pieces of jewelry to jump-start our efforts.

Project Gateway

Harding was able to provide free regalia to all graduating seniors, thanks to a generous donation from an Anonymous Family Foundation and individual donors. Many of our families experienced financial hardships this year, which left them unable to pay senior dues for the regalia. This generous donation provided the gown, tassels, stole, and cap worn at the outdoor, drive-thru ceremony.

Diversity Includes Disabilities Initiative

Harding strives to be a welcoming and inclusive environment, however due to the historic nature of the building, people with physical disabilities are not able to easily navigate the premises. This spring, the Foundation raised nearly $16,000 towards building improvements to increase accessibility. This includes adding automated handicap doors, repaving parts of the sidewalk and repairing the front wheelchair ramp. This is only a small step forward to full ADA compliance. The next phase includes raising money to install two elevators in our four-story building. Becoming fully ADA compliant is complicated and costly; we hope you will keep the Foundation in mind for future contributions.

The Power of Paint

Over the last several years researchers have found that the color of one’s surroundings – walls, desks, chairs, and more – can have a significant impact on student productivity and happiness. Thanks to the support of various donors, we are repainting the entire third floor, 12 classrooms, all stairwells and the 2nd floor hallway leading to the dojo. School and Foundation Board members, teachers, and student representatives met earlier this semester to create a new paint palette, which included bright, fun accent colors.