DCCA Launches Scholarship Fund 

Benefiting Arts Education for Local Children

 

The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts is pleased to announce the launch of the Campaign for the Rachel Gambrill Scholarship Fund. Named after one of DCCA's first scholarship recipients, the Rachel Gambrill Scholarship Fund is designed to provide economically challenged students with scholarships to DCCA art classes and summer camps. 

 

Led by Honorary Chairman Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn and Campaign Committee Chairwoman Berta Borgenicht Kerr, the campaign committee has set a goal of raising $200,000 by December 31, 2014, to create a permanent scholarship fund at the DCCA. 

 

“I am honored to serve as the Honorary Chair of the Rachel Gambrill Scholarship Fund Campaign,” said Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn. “As Delaware’s Lieutenant Governor, my promise and goal is to be a voice for Delaware’s children in the halls of government. 
I am keenly aware of the important role that the arts play in the education of all of our children and applaud the efforts of the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts to make art education accessible to all, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.”

 

 “The campaign committee began reaching out to supporters of arts education last November, and we’ve already raised $32,000. I’d like to invite others to join me in growing this scholarship fund to allow more children of need to benefit,” said Berta Kerr, Campaign Committee Chairwoman. “Other members of the committee include: Phyllis Aerenson, Phyllis Fink, Ruth Ann Gerr, Ronna Hochman, Carol Levin, Dorothy DeH Lovett, Ellen Meyer, Karen Pierce, Christine Randolph, Carol Rothschild, and Bonnie Silbermann.”
 

“The campaign is named for Rachel Gambrill, a brave nine year old who loved the arts and was one of the first scholarship recipients. Following her summer camp experience in 2010, Rachel attended additional DCCA classes and Free Family Programs. In February 2011, just 7 months after her first class at the DCCA, Rachel was diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumor and, after a courageous battle, passed away in March 2012,” said DCCA’s Curator of Education, Jane Chesson. “With the permission of her mother, the DCCA is honoring Rachel by creating the Rachel Gambrill Scholarship Fund to benefit children like Rachel who could not otherwise afford to attend DCCA education programs. Rachel’s indomitable spirit will live on through the countless children and families in our community who will benefit from her remarkable legacy.”

 

“Over the last couple of years, we have been able to offer needs-based scholarships for our education programs making them accessible to all members of our community,” Chesson added. “Since summer 2010, the DCCA has provided scholarships for 115 children with the assistance of several private supporters and foundations. To meet increasing needs the DCCA decided to create a fund dedicated to providing a stable source for scholarship funding.”

 

“Increased support for scholarships will allow more children regardless of location, family income, or artistic experience to take advantage of DCCA’s innovative arts education programs,” said Maxine Gaiber, Executive Director of DCCA. “Along with increasing cognitive development, the programs at DCCA enable children and teens from across the economic spectrum to have the opportunity to meet, work, and create collaboratively. The DCCA also provides a haven for students who have special needs, have been bullied in school, or live in communities where they are unable to play outside while unattended.”

 

At the DCCA, all students are offered high-quality, progressive, arts education opportunities that focus on building problem solving, and social and creative skills by professional teaching artists. Over fifty percent of the participants in DCCA education programs during 2012 were scholarship recipients whose families demonstrated financial need. DCCA scholarships do not just include tuition; families are provided with DART bus passes to provide reliable transport to and from the museum, and during summer camp children are offered free breakfast and lunch to ensure that they are best prepared for a day of art making. 

 

Tax-deductible donations to the Rachel Gambrill Scholarship Fund can be sent to the DCCA, 200 South Madison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801-5110
Questions can be directed to Maxine Gaiber at 302-656-6466 ext. 7102.