HFI Teams Up with Wilde Lake Schools to Ignite Young Minds in the Performing Arts with Exciting YEP! Grant Funding!
HFI is thrilled to announce our new partnership with Wilde Lake High and Middle School (WLHMS), made possible through funding from Howard County’s Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) grant!
Launched by Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in 2023, the Youth Engagement Programming initiative aims to build avenues for young people to become more connected to their families, friends, and mentors. The goal of these new programs and efforts is to provide Howard County young people with expanded opportunities to be more active and engaged with their peers, and to ensure a safe, supportive, and nurturing community.
HFI firmly believes that access to the performing arts should be a part of every community, and that access should not be limited to those who can afford an expensive ticket. In alignment with our mission to share the assets of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center to promote learning and personal growth, the YEP! funding enables HFI to extend the Theatre Career Pathways Program to WLHMS students. This program will provide these students with invaluable insights into career opportunities within the National Touring Broadway theatre industry.
Through this partnership, WLHMS students will collaborate with industry professionals and mentors who can inspire them to explore various career paths in the performing arts. Participants will be introduced to a range of careers they may not have previously considered, such as stagehand roles, stage management, costuming, makeup artistry, and educational opportunities. HFI will facilitate hands-on learning experiences alongside experts at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, utilizing professional equipment to give students a firsthand understanding of what it takes to succeed in this field.
All HFI programs emphasize life skills like teamwork and creative thinking, and respect for self and others as our “golden rule” enables HFI to serve thousands of students each year in a safe and enriching environment.
For more information on Howard County’s Youth Engagement Programing (YEP!) Grants, please visit https://www.howardcountymd.gov/county-executive/youth-engagement-programming-grants