Chalkboard Chat is an interview series highlighting the teaching artists and administrators who dedicate their time and expertise to ArtsConnection students. DEVAN MANNING: From teen program participant to ArtsConnection staff member: Inspiring Creativity and Growth Along the Way As one of ArtsConnection’s In-School Programs Managers, Devan works with teachers, artists, school administrators, school coordinators, and […]
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“Day of the Dead” Celebration Sparks Joy, Amazement, and Wonder at PS 68 in Staten Island
The Day of the Dead, a Mexican tradition that honors the spirits of the departed with love and reverence, came alive for the PS68 R community on November 3 as a multi-cultural ensemble of professional artists performed traditional music and dance for more than 80 students, family members, and community residents. This family event led […]
Departing Apprentice Nicolas Castro One Step Closer to His Dream: Teaching Art to Students with Autism
Just days ago, Nicolas Castro, or Nico as he’s known, said “goodbye” (for now) to ArtsConnection as his Supported Transitions apprenticeship through The Museum, Arts and Culture Access Consortium came to an end. Said Nico: “Working at ArtsConnection helped me to see my goal of teaching art to students on the autism spectrum and has […]
Embracing Art’s Magic: Our New Board Members Share Stories of Enrichment and Creativity
ArtsConnection is delighted to welcome our newest board members: Yashvarhan Jain, Russ Jones, and Alice Wong. Yashvardhan Jain Isometry Capital Investment Analyst | Long/Short Public Equity “For as long as I can remember, the arts, particularly music and theater, have been a cornerstone of my life, providing emotional solace, a means of personal expression, and […]
CONNECTED ARTS NETWORK (CAN)
In the 2022/23 school year, we offered a 7-part training series on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility practices in partnership with the NYC Office of Arts and Special Projects and the Connected Arts Networks (CAN) as part of their five-year initiative to create nationwide virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) with educators in visual arts, music, […]
CHALKBOARD CHAT: ANDREW STRANO
Chalkboard Chats is an interview series highlighting the teaching artists who dedicate their time and expertise to ArtsConnection students. ANDREW STRANO: Tapping Their Musical Gifts (and an occasional Oreo) to Inspire Their Students What’s your earliest memory of being moved by art? This is a tricky one! So many of my friends tell stories of […]
FROM THE DESK OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RACHEL WATTS
September 28, 2023 Dear Friends, I hope your summer was restful and joyful! The new school year marks ArtsConnection’s 45th year working with the amazing young people and educators in the New York City public school system. We are excited to be back with them in classrooms across all five boroughs and at our new […]
LAUNCHING OUR LIBERATED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FRAMEWORK
ArtsConnection’s Liberated Learning Environment Framework (LLEF) is a valuable new resource for educators and teaching artists, underpinned by four core principles: Cultural Humility, Student Agency, Community Building, and Responsive Planning. A central goal: to ensure all students and educators feel valued and to foster an inclusive learning environment. Modeled after the teachings of famed Brazilian […]
TEACHING ARTISTS HALL OF FAME
Kudos to ArtsConnection’s Teaching Artists Jojo Gonzalez and Kim Grier-Martinez who on September 13 were honored by City Lore as “local heroes who contribute to the culture of the city and its neighborhoods” with the People’s Hall of Fame award. Rachel Watts, who introduced Jojo and Kim at the awards ceremony, said: “When I first […]
Rain Could Not Keep Us from Celebrating NYC Teens
Downpour aside, Saturday, May 20th, was a beautiful day as we gathered on Governors Island (or Paggank, as it is referred to by the Lenape people) to recognize the young people that participated the Spring semester of ArtsConnection’s Teen Programs: Teens Curate Teens (TCT), OnTRaC: College & Career Readiness; Teens Reviewers & Critics (TRaC); AC […]