Barter Theatre's Project Real Wins VFTA Award

Virginians for the Arts (VFTA), in partnership with the Dominion Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, Inc., has announced Barter Theatre's Project REAL has been chosen as the winner of the annual Dominion ArtStars Rising Star Award.

Barter Theatre's Project REAL is the winner of a Rising Star award, with a cash prize of $1,000. Project REAL - Reinforcing Education through Artistic Learning - uses theatre techniques to bring core subject matter such as math, science, technology and literature to life for students - to make them real. Since its beginning in 2012, Project REAL has served more than 4,000 students at eight schools in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee. Pre- and post-tests show an average gain of 33 percent in English, 37 percent in science and 40 percent in math, and schools consistently report greater student engagement and better attendance after REAL.

"Project REAL has been a catalyst for innovative learning in the classrooms of Washington County High Schools. It is apparent students who may not necessarily learn well through traditional classroom methods are responding positively to this program," said Jeff Noe, assistant superintendent, Washington County Public Schools.

The 2015 awards celebrate arts and education in the community, recognizing arts organizations that best demonstrate and advance the synergy of arts and education. These awards emphasize the contributions of arts organizations through their partnership and collaboration with schools across the Commonwealth.

"This year, we were particularly impressed with the quality of the programs offered throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia," said VFTA President John "Butch" Davies, III. "Every corner of the state, from the smallest towns to our larger cities, showcased programs dedicated to inspiring and enriching the lives of underserved students."

Through the generosity of Dominion, a longtime supporter of the arts in Virginia, the Rising Star award will be presented to Barter Theatre at an upcoming celebration event being held later this fall.

"The benefits of using art to teach cannot be understated," said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Foundation. "We are honored to join VFTA again this year in recognizing the contributions arts organizations in the Commonwealth are making to education."