What parent, grandparent, or doting aunt or uncle hasn’t posted a child’s masterpiece on the refrigerator, or sat through an impromptu skit complete with song, dance, and costumes? The significance of these creative endeavors cannot be underestimated.
Participation in the arts engages children in learning, teaches collaboration, builds creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and boosts self-esteem. A recent study published by the Brown Center Chalkboard, a blog produced by the Brookings Institution, found “strong evidence that arts educational experiences can produce significant positive impacts on academic and social development.” (Read the full article here)
Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence of its benefits and majority support of the public, arts education programs are disappearing from the curriculum in schools across the country. It seems more important than ever for community members and organizations to work together to provide arts education for our youth.
The Center for the Arts is committed to working with the schools, youth organizations, and families in our community to bridge the gap between arts education in our schools and what youth need in order to thrive.
Our Youth Arts Education Program provides after-school and summer camp opportunities for kids to participate in a wide range of professionally guided and instructed art programs. With four schools within walking distance, we are truly at “The Center” and excited to offer even more options for local students. The newly renovated building offers a more flexible space and will enable us to expand and improve our Youth Arts Education programs.
- Student Matinee Series.“The Call of the Wild,” scheduled for March 2020, is the first of our Student Matinee series offering low-to-no cost tickets to students. Based on the classic novel by Jack London, the theatrical presentation features a 180-degree multimedia projection that surrounds actor Noel Gaulin, who plays all of the roles in telling the story of the legendary sled dog Buck. The production is uniquely designed to encourage audience participation through imagination as the story unfolds on stage. We are grateful to BriarPatch for sponsoring the first two Student Matinees at The New Center allowing us to offer student tickets of $5. Thank you to Deer Creek School for being the first to take advantage of this series!
- SummerCamps. The Center will continue working with OnTheGo partners The Curious Forge Makerspace and the Nevada City School of the Arts to expand and develop new camps and opportunities for area youth. Camps will continue to be held in multiple locations to expand our reach to children in the community.
- Family Fun Day. Offered four times a year, these are free all-day events geared toward families and introduces many young children in our community to their first-ever arts experience. We offer families the opportunity to participate in healthy art-based activities together, such as face painting, crafts, and a balloon artist and other fun entertainment.
Your participation as a Next Stage Crew member is key to providing arts education to the youth of Nevada County. You never know, you could be playing an important role in the grooming of the next generation Pavarotti, Bernstein, Picasso, or Streep!
To sponsor a Student Matinee or any of our Youth Arts Education programs, please contact The Center’s Executive Director, Amber Jo Manuel at amanuel@thecenterforthearts.org
