Vision:
R.I.S.E. Arts Center of Baltimore Inc. provides a multidisciplinary arts education to youth minorities and youth with autism of Baltimore City. R.I.S.E. stands for "reach for your dreams, inspire creativity, stay focused, and evolve to step into your purpose. We are a nurturing, creative community where young people discover their inherent talents and gifts. We will foster personal and artistic growth through visual art exhibitions, theater and musical performances, dance recitals, and creative writing presentations.
Mission:
Our goal is to create an environment for youth to learn and develop skills in performing arts, visual arts, and creative writing. This will allow them to develop confidence and explore the keys to problem solving in order to face the challenges in the world around them today. We plan on doing this through developing after school and summer programming with content centered around accentuating the unique gifts and talents of our participants.
History:
Kammeran Giggers, founder of R.I.S.E, discovered her love for theatre at the age of 10 in Baltimore Maryland. She pursued a career in theatre performance and acting with a BA from North Carolina Central University, her MFA in performing arts from Savannah College of Art and Design, and her M.Ed. in Leadership in Diverse Education from Notre Dame University of Maryland, as well as professionally performing in theatres across the world. Throughout her time in college and performing in professional theatre she saw the importance and need for arts education programs for young people, specifically for minorities. She noticed that when a young person is immersed in the arts a huge transformation happens, not only within that art program but within the student. The student begins to become more confident, their reading level increases, they take initiative, and problem solve.
After performing professionally for several years, Kammeran moved back home to Baltimore and began teaching Performing Arts at a private school for students with special needs. She noticed how engaged the students were in her musical production and theatre classes. Students who had difficulty reading in core classes were excelled in reading theatrical scripts. Students who needed one on one attention were able to perform on stage by themselves. Students who were non-verbel would sing solos in the musicals. Students who had challenges with their anger would create dynamic sculptures. Students who could not remember what class they were in were able to memorize full scripts of musicals and plays. The arts had a way of defying the odds for these students and in turn pushed them to their greatest potential across all academic subjects and in their personal life. Kammeran knew that there needed to be an increase for arts education everywhere.
While teaching at a private school in Baltimore County for 3 years, Kammeran noticed that in Baltimore City they began to take art programs out of the curriculum which was upsetting for many reasons. There are students who come to school who may not be successful in their academics but in the arts they are scholars. There are students who need the escape and therapy the arts bring to get through their day. The arts play such an important part in the lives of young people and being able to provide more arts opportunities for these students in the Baltimore City community is what further led Kammeran to form R.I.S.E. She wanted to create a space for students with autism and minority students in Baltimore City to learn, develop, and excel, at various visual and performing arts techniques in order to assist them in pursuing their life’s purpose.