Founded in 1981, SPARC's mission is to inspire young people to reach their full potential through quality training in the performing arts. SPARC works to inspire creativity in its sutdents, to help them develop strong presentational skills, to promote cultural diversity, and to foster a life-long appreciation for the performing arts. Many of SPARC's graduates have gone on to performance careers, both locally and nationally, but most use the valuable skills they learn (especially poise and self-confidence) in their business and professional careers. This year, SPARC served more than 2,200 students metro-Richmond area. All classes are taught by area professional performers and teaching artists. SPARC provides instruction to the most diverse student population of any performing arts education program (41%) in the metro region. Operational highlights include:

Fall/Spring Semester Classes - SPARC offers a graduated curriculum of classes in five rented teaching locations locally, serving approximately 500 young people between the ages of 5 and 18.

STAGES - Over half of SPARC enrollment is in the STAGES program. In addition to its tuition-bearing classes at five satellite locations, SPARC provides after-school and in-school classes throughout the area jurisdictions, and at community centers across the metro area. In 2008, SPARC provided these classes to over 1,400 students in 24 area sites. Thanks to foundation and corporate support, most programs are offered free to participants in underserved neighborhoods.

Main Stage Musical - Each summer, SPARC produces a professional mounted musical featuring top high school and college talents. Past productions include Footloose, Pippin, Little Shop of Horrors, and the Richmond premiere production of Cats. In summer 2008, SPARC presented West Side Story at Maggie L. Walker Governor's School.

SummerStarz Touring Ensemble - Twenty-five to thirty students between the ages of 10 - 17 are selected by audition to take part in a summertime six-week program, rehearsing and then presenting free performances of a musical revue or musical play in assorted metro venues, including the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, the Children's Museum of Richmond, Dogwood Dell, Westminster Canterbury, and others. SummerStarz toured Godspell, Jr. in 2007, Seussical, Jr. in 2008, and will present Once On This Island, Jr. during the summer of 2009.

Summer Camps - SPARC offers popular half and full-day camps: SPARCLERS Jr. (Ages 5-6), SPARCLERS (Ages 7-9), and BRAVO! (Ages 10-14). Serving approximately 200 campers, all programs finish with a performance.

New Voices for the Theater - SPARC conducts a stagewide search among hundreds of student playwrights and then selects eight winning writers to attend a three-week residential workshop in Richmond during June and July. The residency culminates in free public performances of their one-act plays in a Festival of New Works at the Firehouse Theatre.

Rehearsal and Production - A new program offering, bringing favorite charcters to life on stage for students ages 7 - 17. In 2008 - Really Rosie (Maurice Sendak/Carole King); In 2009 - You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charles Schultz/Clark Gesner).

For each of the past 28 years, SPARC's revenues have exceeded expenses. A 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, SPARC's approved annual budget for 2009 is $1,147,380. Approximately 65% of this budget is funded by student tuition and restricted program grants. Major supporters include: The Virginia Commission for the Arts, Altria, The Carpenter Foundation, The Community Foundation, Jackson Foundation, Coleman Hunter Foundation, Dominion Foundation, Robins Foundation, Gwathmey Foundation, ArtsFund and others.