A Note From Dr. Paul and Janice Beran

Janice and I are pleased to support and endorse the Academy of the Arts. Learning about the arts and participating in the arts should be an essential element in a child’s life. Research shows that children and youth who participate in the arts are better students in all the other areas, especially math and science. So not only is learning and participating in the arts just plain fun, children and youth reap benefits that will help them the rest of their lives.

UA Fort Smith and the Fort Smith community are fortunate to have a dedicated and knowledgeable faculty in the Academy of the Arts program. They are dedicated to helping the children and youth they teach to appreciate the importance of the Arts on their lives. The Academy is also proud of the relationship it has with the UA Fort Smith collegiate music and theatre programs.

As the Academy of the Arts grows, it is our hope that even more children will have the opportunity to participate, to improve their
artistic skills, and to develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Paul B. Beran, Ph.D. Chancellor