PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

As a grassroots organization, our programming and engagements are centered around the support and development of our neighborhood youth. Partnering with local business owners, civic groups, elected officials and school leadership, we target areas of interest and need as a prerequisite to our program initiatives and support. Highlights include:

Board of Education

Working with the Newark Board of Education, the foundation provides practical platforms for youth to express their special talents and abilities within the arts conducting weekly trainings, showcases, workshops, boot camps, and summer camps

Showcases and Special Events

In addition to fundraising events, the foundation hosts a number of special events throughout the year including galas, back to school events, and performance showcases where students participating in foundation activities can perform individually and collectively before a live audience.

Scholarships

For those students who are serious in their educational pursuit of the arts and music as a career choice, but may not be able to afford it, the Frierson Foundation provides financial aid scholarships for music and dance classes, vocal training, theory and fundamentals, instruments and requisite supplies. This support is part of our ongoing commitment to help and encourage deserving youth to pursue their passion, creativity and dreams in the performing arts.

An application in the form of a five-paragraph essay is required. The essay should be about your future career goals and how you will give back to your community. Maximum word count is 1,000 words and should include your name, date of birth, current school, grade, home address and phone number. In addition, a signed recommendation letter from either a teacher (current or former), guidance counselor, or a local community, business or civic leader is also required. All submissions mut be received by July 15th each year with scholarships awarded at an annual awards banquet in August.

School Arts Program

Aligned to our core mission, partnering with local elementary, middle and high school music departments, we bring specialized training and programming in the music arts to help student’s grow and express both their talents and passion for the arts.

Music College Tours

Students interested in continuing their music education after high school graduation are eligible to participate in our music college tour program which gives high school juniors and seniors interested in a career in the arts as teachers and/or performers guided tours, firsthand exposure, and an insider’s look at college life. Completion of an online application is required.

Over a one- to two-week period, the students will visit at least three to five campuses where they will meet with the Dean of the Arts Departments (or for their specific major) and campus professors. They will also visit key campus buildings and offices including registrar, bursar, dormitories, student union building, tutoring areas, performance halls, practice rooms, and more. The requirements to attend are:

• Student must maintain at least a 2.5 or 3.0 GPA
• Participated in a middle and high school arts program (i.e., music, dance, theater, etc.)
• Have chosen the arts as their college major
• Exemplifies the ten values and skills learned in an arts program

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

2022 Black History Month Event

2021 Back 2 School Bookbag Giveaway

2021 Newark Police Community Event

2020 Clothing Drive

2020 Hip Hop Production

2020 College Fair

2019 NJIT Nonprofit Expo

2019 Back to School Giveaway

2019 End of School Year Performance