In an unprecedented partnership, a private donor and a non-profit organization are collaborating for the benefit of a Houston Independent School District (HISD) public school. HSPVA Friends, the non-profit dedicated to raising funds for Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, launched a $10 million Build the Extraordinary. Inspire Dreams. capital campaign to ensure that the school’s long-awaited downtown campus opens with its essential core arts curriculum features. The Kinder Foundation, a supporter of HSPVA Friends since 2008, offered a lead gift of $7.5 million.
The school project received substantial funding of $80.2 million from the 2012 HISD bond election, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in December 2014. Construction began in February 2016 with the understanding that additional funding would be required.
In accordance with HISD naming policy and the Board of Trustees approval on October 13, 2016, in recognition of the Kinder Foundation’s lead donation, upon opening, the new downtown school will be named the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts or Kinder HSPVA.
HSPVA Friends Executive Director Alene Haehl Coggin said, “HSPVA Friends extends heartfelt thanks to the Kinder Foundation for its continued commitment to students. We also thank the HISD Board of Trustees for approving the gift. We are thrilled that the school will open with complete arts facilities. We hope that many more HISD schools receive impactful support in the future.”
Kinder Foundation Chairman Rich Kinder said, “We hope these joint and cooperative efforts preserve the long-term future of one of Houston’s most acclaimed and diverse schools and forges a new path through public/private partnership to support future HISD schools.”
Download the Houston Chronicle article.
Download the Houston Chronicle op-ed.
Download a letter of thanks from Cynthia Ogden, Theatre Department chair.
Download Gregory McDaniel’s letter to the editor in support of the $7.5 million gift.
Download a rendering of the school.
