GCB Celebrates 20 Years

The George Caleb Bingham Academy of the Arts is celebrating its twentieth year! Part of the Independence School District, the academy’s theme this summer is “A Kaleidoscope of the Last 20 Years.” Students are enrolled in the five-week program in art, creative writing, music or theatre for four hours daily plus extended hours for field trips and performances. A semester’s fine arts credit is awarded to all students and some are eligible for dual credit through MCC-Blue River. Classes meet at Music/Arts Institute or MCC-Blue River.

85 students representing 17 area high schools are enrolled in the program this summer. The theatre students have already presented their children’s play, Fractured Fairy Tales, to elementary students at Benton, Ott and Fairmount.  The costumes are clever and the students provide their own scenery.

Also of note, Truman High School graduate, Luke Atkison, is teaching dance this year.  He just graduated from Texas Christian University and instructs the students in the auditorium at Truman each morning. Luke is a GCB grad, having attended in theatre two years.

The public is invited to attend the Showcase of the Arts, GCB’s culminating event, at Truman High School on June 30 at 7:45 p.m.