Former First Lady of MA Diane Patrick to Receive Champion Award

On Friday, January 31, 2020, Boston Arts Academy (BAA), the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts, and Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAA Foundation) will honor Former First Lady of Massachusetts Diane Patrick with the BAA Foundation Champion Award. Presented annually, the award recognizes individuals who embody the school’s commitment to the arts, scholarship and citizenship. Patrick will be presented with the award at a special reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Roxbury Community College Commons (1234 Columbus Ave, Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120). Immediately following the award presentation, BAA will premiere its original production, titled “Respect: A Boston Arts Academy Tribute to Aretha Franklin,” paying homage to another inspiring female leader. The production will take place at the Media Arts Center at Roxbury Community College.

“Diane personifies BAA’s belief that education is the foundation for opportunity and for a healthy transition to adulthood. As a former public school teacher, she knows how critical access to education is, and she continues to advocate for early childhood education, K-12, special education and intervention programs in the Commonwealth,” said BAA Foundation President Denella Clark. “We are proud to recognize her dedication to children and families in the community with the BAA Champion Award.”

A lawyer, teacher, mother and active community member, Patrick has a record of distinguished professional and public service. Today, she is a senior counsel at Ropes & Gray LLP, having retired from the firm at the end of 2016 after practicing for over 30 years in the labor and employment area. As an activist in the Commonwealth’s ongoing effort to end domestic violence, Patrick engages with families, agencies and law enforcement to identify and address the root causes of domestic abuse. Throughout her career, she has devoted herself to various communities, serving on the boards of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Jane Doe, Inc., and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, among others. Currently, she serves on the boards of Massachusetts General Hospital, Partners Healthcare, Epiphany School and Jacob’s Pillow Dance.

Previous BAA Champion Award honorees include Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Attorney General Maura Healey.

Following the Champion Award reception, Patrick and guests will attend Boston Arts Academy’s performance of “Respect: A Boston Arts Academy Tribute to Aretha Franklin.” The production will feature Boston Arts Academy vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, actors, filmmakers, fashion designers and visual artists, celebrating Aretha Franklin’s impact on R&B and Gospel music, as well as her social activism.

“We’re excited to showcase the best of all BAA departments’ artistic work,” said BAA Arts Dean Tyrone Sutton, who serves as producer for the show. “It promises to be an original, lively compilation of our students’ interpretations of the ‘Queen of Soul’s’ career.”

Tickets are on sale now. For information/tickets to the Champion Award reception and student performances of “Respect: A Boston Arts Academy Tribute to Aretha Franklin,” visit https://bostonartsacademy.org/respect/. Performances take place on January 31 at 7:30 p.m. and February 1 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Roxbury Community College Media Arts Center. Please note, the location has changed from performances in previous years.

About Boston Arts Academy

Founded in 1998 as the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts, Boston Arts Academy has distinguished itself among urban public high schools as a leader in innovative and effective student-centered education. Consistently recognized locally and nationally for its achievements, BAA exemplifies the power of an arts-rich education and many BAA graduates have found success in college through the arts. In fact, for the past five years, at least 97 percent of BAA graduates have been accepted to college, with most being first-generation college attendees. BAA’s dynamic program prepares graduates to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, collaborators and creators. Students come from all 23 Boston neighborhoods to receive the formal arts training and academic instruction that will make them Boston’s next generation of artists and cultural leaders.

In October 2018, the BAA community broke ground on a new $125 million facility at its Fenway location, which will expand from 121,000 square feet to 153,500 square feet upon its completion in September 2021. Among many highlights, it will include new and much-needed enhanced theatres, career center, academic classrooms, dance studios, music practice rooms and fashion technology studios and workspace. When BAA opens its new school building, the number of students enrolled will increase to 500, and eventually grow over the years.

About Boston Arts Academy Foundation

Established in 1999, the BAA Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that raises essential funds from private philanthropic sources to augment the BAA school budget. The BAA Foundation helps bridge the gap between the school’s allocation from the Boston Public Schools, and the true cost of a high-quality education that is both arts-intensive and college preparatory.

Construction of the new BAA school building will not change BPS’s funding formula, which supports BAA’s academic offerings. Through the five-year, comprehensive Building Our Future campaign, the BAA Foundation is raising $30 million to augment BAA’s school budget and ensure long-term sustainability. The campaign includes raising $10 million to bring the BAA Foundation endowment to $13.5 million, and to secure $15.5 million in operating reserves. The endowment and reserves will support what makes BAA unique, including expanded programming, the Health and Wellness Program, STEAM (STEM+Art), and funding for the arts. The endowment also will support college scholarships for graduating seniors. The campaign will support BAA Foundation’s Annual Fund, which raises $5,000 per student each year. Building Our Future will ensure that as BAA’s student body grows, students can become successful artists, scholars and citizens.