Kennedy Center Recognizes Juneau and JAMM

Juneau was selected as the 11th city in the United States for the Kennedy Center's Any Given Child program, which helps communities provide access and equity to the arts for all children K - 8th grades.  As part of the final selection process, two representatives from the Kennedy Center flew to Juneau to meet with community and school members and visit Glacier Valley to watch JAMM 2nd graders play on their stringed instruments before performing a Tlingit dance in Alaska native regalia.

In a Juneau Empire article announcing the award, Darrell Ayers, Vice President of Education at the Kennedy Center, said that he was "excited by the plans for the new Library, Archives and Museum building on Willoughby Avenue, and by the success of the Juneau Alaska Music Matters (JAMM) program out at Glacier Valley, Riverbend and Auke Bay Elementary Schools."

To bring access, balance, and equity to each child's arts education, the Any Given Child initiative will incorporate existing resources of the Juneau School District, along with those of local arts organizations and the Kennedy Center to create a plan for arts education specific to the city.  With the assistance of expert consultation services provided by Kennedy Center staff and other professionals, community leaders develop a long-range plan for arts education that is tailor-made for the school district and community.