Walker Gamble Elementary School in Clarendon County has been awarded an $18,000 Distinguished Arts Program (DAP) grant to bolster its arts education for the 2024-2025 school year. This funding will provide a substantial upgrade to the school’s arts program, incorporating new technology and resources across multiple creative disciplines.
The Academic Arts team at Walker Gamble plans to use the grant to introduce Media Arts standards and expand digital resources within the Technology Lab, STEAM Lab, Visual Arts, and Music classes. New equipment purchases will include iPads, Apple Pencils, and protective cases, all aimed at enriching students’ digital art experiences and enhancing design-thinking skills.
In addition to the technology investment, the school will acquire new musical instruments, including cajons and accompanying instructional materials, to broaden students’ music education. The grant will also support visual arts by funding ceramics materials such as glazes and wax resists, enabling students to explore various surface treatment techniques.
Professional development is also a priority for the grant allocation. The funding will facilitate arts educators’ attendance at the Summer Arts Institute and provide opportunities for participation in state-level arts education conferences, including those hosted by SCAEA, SCMEA, and PSAE.
“Walker Gamble is a special school that not only shines brightly academically but also artistically,” said Jessie Welch, District Arts Coordinator. “The Academic Arts team works tirelessly to ensure their students receive the highest quality arts education.”
Principal Allen Kirby expressed his excitement, saying, “I am so excited for WGE to receive the DAP grant for the 2024-25 school year. The grant brings opportunities in the arts for our students that they normally would not have. It is going to be wonderful to see the positive impact that this has on our school.”
