The Richmond County School System has received a commitment from the Chestnut Family Foundation to support the implementation of an ArtsNow program in the Hephzibah area by providing up to $386,000.

ArtsNow is an organization dedicated to transforming education through arts integration and innovative practices by providing professional development and teacher resources. Through collaborative partnerships, they seek to transform education through rigorous, innovative teaching strategies for the 21st century learner. President and CEO Pamela Walker states, "we are so incredibly appreciative of this opportunity to provide on-site professional development for authentic arts-integration in schools within the Hephzibah area. We are excited about this partnership with Richmond County School System and look forward to our work together as we positively impact teaching and learning for both teachers and students."

Chris Neal, Principal of Hephzibah Middle School, said, “ArtsNow will allow us to provide opportunities for our students to explore areas of interest in ways they may not otherwise have had. Exposure to the arts is an important component of our candidacy for the International Baccalaureate program in the Hephzibah area schools.”

“Engaging students in the arts provides context for learning across all subjects and allows them to learn more about themselves,” said Dr. Angela Pringle, Superintendent of Schools for the Richmond County School System. “We are incredibly appreciative for the generous support of the Chestnut Family Foundation as we partner on this project.”