Boston Arts Academy Raises $1.6 Million with James Taylor and Star-Studded Fundraiser

Legendary rock promoter Don Law and students at Boston Arts Academy celebrated the successful raising of $1.6 million to support the city’s only public high school dedicated to visual and performing arts. The fundraising event took place at the MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park, featuring performances by renowned musician James Taylor alongside 30 students, as they performed “Shower the People” in honor of Law, who was recognized as the 2024 Music Honoree.

Don Law, whose illustrious career began in the 1960s at rock clubs, currently serves as the chairman of Live Nation New England, co-operator of the MGM Music Hall. Taylor, one of New England’s most beloved musicians and a longtime friend of Law, took to the stage to perform a tribute. The event also recognized various prominent figures in the arts and entertainment industry.

Among the honorees were Debbie Allen, noted actress, dancer, choreographer, and Golden Globe Award recipient acknowledged for her contributions to dance; June Ambrose, creative director, costume designer, and entrepreneur celebrated for her impact on fashion; and Dr. Amy Boger, a retired pediatrician and ceramic sculptor, and her husband Dr. Joshua Boger, a pharmaceutical pioneer and underwater photographer, honored for their work in visual arts. Additionally, actress, producer, and author Christy Cashman was recognized for her contributions to television and film.

Katherine Chapman Stemberg, serving as a board member at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Brookline Music School, as well as overseeing the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was honored in the civic responsibility category. The event also featured exhibitions and performances from students across Boston neighborhoods, highlighting the school’s dedication to arts education.

The Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s chief executive officer, Denella Clark, emphasized the school’s unique role in urban education, stating, “The Boston Arts Academy is a unique and special place, a beacon of hope for students with a passion for the arts. I am proud that the Boston Arts Academy has distinguished itself among urban public high schools as a leader in innovative and effective student-centered education, rich in the arts.”