A scene from the School of Dance's Danceworks recital, held in April.

In an ongoing effort to improve its services, the senior management of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMC) has established a fund that will allow corporate stakeholders, friends and family of the college to contribute to its development.

EMC's Development Fund will be governed by the Arts Foundation. The fund will act as the business arm of the EMC and will facilitate the settlement of endowments and commercial enterprises that will provide income to support the arts.

The college will launch the fund with a fund-raising banquet and launch that will take place on December 1 at the Hilton Kingston hotel. The event will have tremendous highlights with an impressive line-up, including MC and School of Drama alumna, Fae Ellington, and a special appearance from guest speaker, Judge Joe Brown of the CBS syndicated reality courtroom TV show of the same name.

Judge Brown's appearance at the fund-raiser will follow his speech at EMC's graduation ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, November 29.

Full financial backing

Final Year School of Music student Adorah Bennett performs during her final year concert in May at the college's auditorium. - Contributed photos

Live performances will also be seen from EMC's performing arts repertoire under the creative direction of Michael Sean Harris.

With full financial backing of the fund, the college will be able to execute its mandate to provide support in the form of grants for books, scholarships, research, workshops and studies in the arts. It will also allow for the acquisition of equipment, furniture, buildings and property and the staging of productions in the arts.