Friends of the Arts School (“Friends” or “FOAS”) is a non-profit (501c3) corporation operated exclusively as a charitable and educational organization supporting Fayette County (Kentucky) Public Schools’ School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) in Lexington, KY.

Friends’ bylaws define the organization’s mission as:

Generating funds, providing volunteer services, and cultivating community awareness for SCAPA and its efforts to nourish creativity, promote academic proficiency, and encourage a respect for and appreciation of human diversity.

Friends works to generate funds through donations and community business sponsorships used exclusively to support the school, students, and community. Support includes providing classroom supplies and materials that enhance students’ academic and arts education in areas such as Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, String Instruments, Vocal Music, and more.

Friends also supports SCAPA through many other initiatives including providing funds for experiential field trips such as to the KMTA All-State Piano Ensemble in Campbellsville, KY, where students majoring in Piano have the opportunity to showcase their talents. Friends helps cover the costs of the registration and transportation to these unique opportunities throughout the academic year.

Other initiatives include community outreach to underserved student populations to experience the Arts and to encourage other children to explore their potential and opportunity that the Arts at SCAPA provides. Friends helps provide funding for SCAPA community performances at local venues in support of the school’s and District Leadership’s outreach efforts and initiatives.

Other support Friends works to provide includes purchasing instruments, learning materials, technology, and support for students. Friends also helps students experiencing financial hardship to continue to participate in the Arts by providing assistance for field trip fees, competition registrations, and other academic support needs as necessary.

Friends of the Arts School, Inc. for the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA)