HURRICANE, W.Va. -- A Putnam County-based school of performing and visual arts is a finalist for a national contest.
Arts in Action is one of ten nonprofits selection nationally as finalists for BB&T's "Shine a Light" contest. Finalists received $2,000 from the bank, and the winner will receive an additional $8,000.
Arts in Action provides dance, drama, music, and visual arts lessons for 240 students throughout Putnam and Kanawha Counties. The school started at a local church in 1998, and has operated as a non-profit since 2003.
Classes are taught with "a Christian influence," but students are not required to participate in prayers or other religious activities.
The program's founder, Joni Cantrell, said they had no idea they were nominated for the award. When they were selected as one of the few finalists out of 1500 entries, she was surprised.
"Right there is an award. That's saying that we're doing something, that we're doing what our mission is. We're reaching out and making a difference in the lives of these kids."
Their programs include Urban Stage, which serves nearly 120 at-risk and low-income students on Charleston's west side. The program is free for all students, and they receive free dance attire, shoes, costuming, performance attire and musical instruments.
Cantrell said the program started after she worked at a summer camp for children on the East End and west side. She said it upset her to leave the kids at the end of the week. She would cry on the way home, worrying that there were no other creative outlets for them.
"And I thought, you know, I can't just come here for a week. Look at them - they have gifts, they have talents and that is a creative way for them to express themselves," Cantrell said. "It can open a whole new path for them."
This is the 10th year Urban Stage has been open full-time. They do not require the students to raise money for the classes - all costs are covered through grants and donations from organizations and private individuals. All staff members are volunteers.
Arts in Action's latest program, Super Stars, serves children and adults with special needs in Putnam County. Free classes are taught in art, drama, dance and music.
"It's an incredible program," Cantrell said. "You can just see them blossoming."
Arts in Action awarded $152,000 in financial aid and reduced fees in the 2014-2015 fiscal year. That total doesn't count for costumes or supplies they've provided.
"The money is really icing on the cake. We really need it," Cantrell said. "All of the money is going to the children."
They also provide emotional support to the children when they go through difficult situations, whether it's economic issues or family struggles.
"At Arts in Action we're a family, and when something happens to one of our family members, we're with them above and beyond."
Amanda Deskins, the chair of the Board at Arts in Action, has brought her daughter to classes to Arts in Action for 6 years. She called the program a "blessing" for her family. The outreach programs have taught her daughter the importance of giving back.
"It provides my daughter a platform to learn how to volunteer, serve and help."
Addison has volunteered now in summer camps, the Super Stars program, and helped put on the recital for Urban Stage.
"For her the grant would help her continue to do those things, and serve in that way," Deskins said. "But for the program it would help us to extend programs for those kids."
The online contest runs through Friday. You can vote by clicking this link.
Reach Ali Schmitz at ali.schmitz@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @SchmitzMedia on Twitter.