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Renovations moves SMARTS program to downtown art school
SMARTS opens in Ohio One building
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The SMARTS – Students Motivated by the Arts — program held a ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Ohio One building.
YOUNGSTOWN
After a four-year hiatus, the SMARTS program returned in a newly renovated downtown building.
Youngstown community leaders celebrated Students Motivated by The Arts transition to a stand-alone community art school during the Thursday morning ribbon-cutting at the Ohio One Building, 25 E. Boardman St., downtown.
The $750,000 All in One Campaign goal set last May recently has been met, announced Greta Mittereder, SMARTS spokeswoman. The money funded the renovation, a five-year lease, two full-time staff members and a small endowment for future goals.
Video: SMARTS Opens in Ohio One Building
Becky Keck, SMARTS executive director, said she is beyond appreciative for the community’s generosity to “bring quality arts education back to the children.”
“This is proof that good things can happen in the Mahoning Valley, and SMARTS is proof that good begets good, and truth and justice always prevail,” she said. “Yesterday was the final day of the SMARTS transition, and today is our future.”
Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally said the project is truly the product of a labor of love.
“I can’t wait to see more and more children coming down here every single day,” he said.
Mittereder said the reinvention of the SMARTS program gives students throughout the Valley access to “quality arts education.”
“We can now serve the students who need us the most,” she said.
Jake Harver, the Knox building owner and art enthusiast, said it’s a shame many schools don’t include arts education anymore.
“Arts education is essential to all people,” he said.
One of Harver’s passions is to preserve downtown Youngstown, and the SMARTS program using the Ohio One building is in line with his mission.
“This is a gorgeous space, and I’m glad people will get to see this every day now,” he said.
Warren Mayor Doug Franklin said, “The best is yet to come for Youngstown and the SMARTS program.”
For information, contact Keck at 330-574-2787 or bkeck@smartsartschool.org or visit smartsartschool.org.