SPARC's mission is to "inspire young people, ages 5-18, to reach their full potential through quality training in the performing arts." SPARC helps young performers develop life skills and responsibility, and helps Richmond grow its future leaders.
Whether your child is testing the waters or a budding professional, SPARC can accommodate all levels of experience and expertise. Classes help build solid, lasting skills. Students are well-prepared for the stage. . . and for life!
In order to ensure that each child gets the most from his or her SPARC experience, we have established the following guidelines. If you have any questions about any of these, please feel free to discuss them with your child's instructor.
At the first class meeting at each teaching site, parents and students are invited to meet their instructors and administrative staff. We will discuss what to expect during the semester, look at important dates for the calendar, and answer questions. Please note this meeting on your calendars.
The final class of the Fall semester is an open-class presention. Parents & families are welcome to attend. In the Spring semester, we invite parents of our Mini SPARC students to attend the final class meeting for an on-site presentation. For our Rising Stars and CORE students, the final presentation will be during our annual Showcase at the Cultural Arts Center.
Regular, punctual attendance is encouraged at SPARC. That being said, SPARC is sensitive to the need for students to be absent due to observance of religious holidays or family emergencies. Those absences will not count against the student in any way, although we ask that the student be proactive in catching up on any material that was missed (including blocking, choreography, music, handouts, etc.).
No interested, cooperative student is turned away from any SPARC program because of the inability to afford tuition. To apply for financial aid for Spring semester, you will need to submit BOTH a Registration Form and a Financial Aid Application as well as a $15.00 non-refundable application fee. Forms submitted after the chosen due date will NOT be considered for financial aid. To request a financial aid form, please check the appropriate box on the registration form, or call our office to have one sent to you.
For more information or to save a space in one of our classes, contact our office manager Jason Marks at (804) 353-3393, or email him at jmarks@sparconline.org. (See registration form for more details.)
In case of inclement weather, please call the SPARC office at (804) 353-3393 on the day in question. We will not necessarily follow any particular school system's decision, so please call us for confirmation of class closings.
For Saturday classes, a message will be on our Voice Mail by 8 a.m.; on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays by 1:00 p.m.
