Arts Academy of Hollywood

The Arts Academy of Hollywood is one of South Florida’s largest comprehensive performing arts educational facilities. Located in downtown Hollywood, Florida, the Arts Academy provides a destination to service the diverse arts education needs of the South Florida community, empowering students to become leaders in the arts and challenging them with innovative skills as they prepare for their future. The Arts Academy offers many classes for both children and adults, as well as as summer camp program.

Classes Offered

The Arts Academy of Hollywood offers group and private classes in:

Dance/Movement
Music/Vocal
Acting/Theatre
Art
Holistic Arts

Tai Chi/Martial arts

Yoga

Pilates
Health & Fitness

The academy also offers master classes, dance/acting/music performances, performing arts enrichment programs and summer camps.

History

The Arts Academy of Hollywood was founded by Linda Strutz in 1993. Linda, the daughter of a ballet instructor, taught Early Childhood Education in the Broward Schools. After witnessing several cuts in art education programs, Linda decided to open her own arts education facility, combining years of dance training with her Master's degree in early childhood education. She purchased the Broward Ballet Academy and made it into Academy of Dance, in downtown Hollywood, Florida. There she taught ballet and special programs to all ages, and put on annual performance productions to rave reviews. In 2004, she expanded that Academy into a full performing arts curriculum for all ages, the Arts Academy of Hollywood. For over 11 years Linda has been an entrepreneur, ballet teacher, educator, administrator, and business owner.

Summer Camp

Starting in 2004, when The Academy of Dance became the Arts Academy of Hollwood, the Arts Academy of Hollywood has offered a summer camp program for two sessions every summer. The Summer Exploring Arts program is offered to children ages 3-5 years. The Summer Stars program is offered to children ages 6-14 years. The Summer Stars program has performed such musicals as:
* Annie Jr. (2004 Session 1)
* The Music Man Jr. (2004 Session 2)
* Guys and Dolls Jr. (2005 Session 1)
* Beauty and the Beast (musical) Jr. (2005 Session 2)
* Bugsy Malone Jr. (2006 Session 1)
* Dear Edwina Jr. (2006 Session 2)
* Into the Woods Jr. (2007 Session 1)
* Schoolhouse Rock! Jr. (2007 Session 2)For the 2008 summer, the Arts Academy Summer Stars will be performing:
* Disney's The Jungle Book Kids (2008 Session 1)
* Willy Wonka Jr. (2008 Session 2)

Awards & Nominations

Founder & Executive Director, Linda Strutz, is the winner of:
2007 Spirit of Excellence Educator of the Year Award, awarded by the American Business Women’s Association (National Award)
2005 16th Annual Artserve Encore Award for her Arts Collaborations with the City of Hollywood, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department

Linda has been nominated for the:
Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award, Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - 2006, 2005
Small Business Person of the Year Award, Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce - 2006, 2005

Links

* [http://artsacademyofhollywood.com Arts Academy of Hollywood]