HAGERSTOWN– Located next to the Maryland Theatre, the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts is a public magnet arts high school located in downtown Hagerstown.
Founded in 2009, the school’s mission is to provide talented students with an arts-focused education while also upholding strong academic standards. Named after Barbara Ingram, a local passionate supporter of the arts and education, the school carries on her legacy by inspiring creativity and nurturing artistic talent. For many students, though, pursuing the arts can feel like a dream out of reach.
This is where the BISFA Foundation steps in. By providing scholarships and funding vital materials, the foundation helps to remove financial roadblocks, so students can focus on what matters most: their passion and creativity.
The organization provides funds for “various programs at the school, such as master classes, performance opportunities, field trips, college visits, state-of-the-art instructional materials and technology” said Ally Sirbaugh, Foundation executive director.
Last school year, the BISFA Foundation awarded over $60,000 in grants. According to Sirbaugh, “Some of the funds provided last school year included the visual arts department purchasing Wacom Intuos S tablets, so the students could create digital art pieces; the vocal students performing in Williamsburg while also learning U.S. history; and the instrumental students performing with a foley artist at Universal Studios, Florida.”
The impact of the BISFA Foundation goes way beyond the school. By investing in young artists, it boosts Hagerstown’s arts scene and helps drive the local economy. Within the community, the foundation also works with the Washington County Arts Council, The Maryland Theatre, The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, the University System of Maryland, Hagerstown and more.
Things like performances and showcases bring in visitors and create a buzz that benefits businesses and solidifies Hagerstown’s reputation as a cultural hub, Sirbaugh said.
The BISFA Foundation rides on the support of its donors and volunteers. Whether it is donating money, sponsoring a scholarship, or helping at an event, every single effort makes a difference. If readers want to get involved or even learn more, they may visit their website at: barbaraingramfoundation.org
