The School District of Manatee County is partnering with the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation to establish the first-ever Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science at Anna Maria Elementary School. The academy, named for the world-renowned wildlife artist, conservationist and businessman, will focus on marine sciences, conservation and the arts.
The collaboration between the district and GHOF will begin this school year with development of a K-5 curriculum that will include a special aquarium to be installed at the school for the program, and accompanying art components. Students who finish the program will receive a certificate of completion from the academy.
Future years will see the development of Guy Harvey Academy curriculums for middle and high schools, slated for King Middle School and Manatee High School.
“It is a goal of our school district to bring innovative educational opportunities to our students to expand their career and life possibilities,” said Superintendent Cynthia Saunders. “It’s been a genuine pleasure to work with Dr. Harvey and everyone associated with his ocean foundation to make this academy a reality.”
Dr. Harvey’s vivid and colorful artwork has earned international prestige and is viewed in art galleries, exhibits, stores and adorns a wide array of popular products, including apparel. Born in Germany, Dr. Harvey earned high honors in Marine Biology at Aberdeen University in Scotland and obtained a Doctorate in Fisheries Management at the University of West Indies.
A life-long advocate for the environment, Dr. Harvey has devoted his talent, time and resources to protecting oceans, fish populations and reef systems through the development of the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University and The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. Those institutions have made valuable contributions to protecting fish resources and biodiversity in the world’s oceans.
In a recorded statement (click on photo below), Dr. Harvey and his daughter, Jessica Harvey, expressed their avid support for the academy. Jessica Harvey is an Environmental Conservationist and Co-Chair of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.
Doug Evans, Chief Philanthropy Officer for the GHOF, was at the School Board meeting in Bradenton on Tuesday evening when the Board approved the agreement for the academy.
“I don’t think there could possibly be a better fit for the very first Guy Harvey Academy of Arts and Science than Anna Maria Elementary,”
Evans said. “You can actually see the entrance to Tampa Bay and the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from the back of the school.”
