January 01, 2010 - Apple Tree Arts, a nonprofit community music and theatre arts school based in Grafton, has been given The UniBank Community Building Award.

This prestigious award is given to an external organization, business, employer, neighbor, or volunteer who may or may not have been involved with Alternatives and has used their talents and resources to strengthen its communities through their civic and creative engagement in central Massachusetts. Apple Tree Arts was recognized for its arts education programs throughout the Blackstone Valley.

Christopher D. Foley, director of retail banking for UniBank presented the award.

"Apple Tree Arts provides music and theatre arts programs for people of all ages," Foley said. "The community arts organization is committed to cultural enrichment that meets the needs and interests of many different audiences."

The award was accepted for Apple Tree Arts by Education Director Jan Barlow.

"Apple Tree Arts is honored to receive this award," Barlow said. "It is reassuring to have our hard work validated by such a prestigious award."

Alternatives of Whitinsville, Mass. is a nonprofit human services agency currently serving over 1,000 adults with developmental and psychiatric disabilities in 55 residential employment and day programs throughout central Massachusetts. For more information about Alternatives, please visit our website or call 508-234-6232. http://www.alternativesnet.org

Founded in 1989, Apple Tree Arts has grown to serve over 1,000 children and adults annually. The school offers a variety of programs for all ages including early childhood music education, theater arts programs, private music instruction, voice lessons, ensembles, adult music courses, children and adult community choruses and concerts.

The school brings its early childhood music programs to over 32 preschools and day care centers as well as 7 Head Start sites in central Massachusetts.

Apple Tree Arts is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization whose goal is to foster a lifelong appreciation of the arts by providing high-quality music and theater arts programs for individuals of all ages. For more information, please contact Apple Tree Arts or visit www.appletreearts.org.