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Photo: Michael BermanCASA
Photo: Michael Berman
Cultural after School Adventures (CASA), which brings after school arts enrichment to young people across New York City, is now in its third year. We are delighted that this year BAC’s participation in the program more than doubled. BAC was privileged to work with 37 professional painters, puppeteers, ceramicists, literary artists, musicians, dancers, actors, and playwrights who journeyed to 19 schools throughout Brooklyn from January through June. We reached students from Bedford-Stuveysant to Bushwick, to Sunset Park, Canarsie, and Sheepshead Bay. And our programs assisted schools in meeting benchmarks set by the New York City Department of Education’s Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts, while adhering to guidelines set by the New York State Learning Standards for the Arts.
CASA offers a rich variety of programming in a myriad of art forms and takes advantage of the diversity of artistic talent in New York City. Visual arts classes are available in almost any medium, for instance, students created scenery (including a five-foot-tall puppet), mosaics, murals, quilts, and toy theaters and built three dimensional sculptures using clay and papier-mâché. Students also worked on their drawing and observation skills with materials ranging from charcoal to watercolor and used digital photography to create animated films and original videos. CASA offered classes in instrumental and choral music, guitar, and dance, ranging from hip-hop and jazz to ballroom and Afro-Caribbean dances. Interdisciplinary classes introduced students to the different parts of a newspaper and taught them about writing editorials and original stories. They also learned how to create their own newspaper.
Much of CASA programming consists of group projects, in which the teaching artists work diligently to make students aware of their problem-solving abilities as well as the efforts of others in the group. Whether students are painting a mural or performing a play, the skills that they gain from the cooperative spirit of these projects form an important foundation for future success in collaborative settings and help to develop a unique perspective of the world. Jose Martinez, a special education supervisor said of the dance and mural projects organized at PS 209: “The students had the chance of a lifetime to grow by learning new information and socializing with their peers. The creations that they made will stay with them for the rest of their lives.”
The culminating events for these projects – puppet shows, presentations, and recitals, showcased for parents, teachers and the school community – gave children the ability to improve their public speaking skills and take pride in their accomplishments. The self confidence that students gained translates into all arenas of students’ lives, so that when faced with personal or academic challenges yet to come, they trust their instincts, resourcefulness and facility for taking risks.
Assemblies are a unique complement to CASA’s art enrichment workshops. This year, BAC offered after school assemblies that gave school communities exposure to a whole array of talented artists and art forms, from Shakespeare to Greek mythology. Special weekend outings (nine performances, ranging from musicals to Irish dance) to the Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College (BCBC) were also made available for students and their families. These events provided even more exposure to the arts and strengthened the family bond. As one parent explained, “This was a fabulous and momentous experience. This type of exposure to cultural events will form long-lasting memories for my family.”
Assemblies are a unique complement to CASA’s art enrichment workshops. This year, BAC offered after school assemblies that gave school communities exposure to a whole array of talented artists and art forms, from Shakespeare to Greek mythology. Special weekend outings (nine performances, ranging from musicals to Irish dance) to the Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College (BCBC) were also made available for students and their families. These events provided even more exposure to the arts and strengthened the family bond. As one parent explained, “This was a fabulous and momentous experience. This type of exposure to cultural events will form long-lasting memories for my family.”
In only two years, CASA has brought together some of Brooklyn’s greatest resources – our youth, artists, and our schools. We look forward to another year of enriching the quality of life in the community that we love to serve.
CASA was initiated by Christine C. Quinn, New York City Council Speaker, and Councilman Domenic M. Recchia Jr., Chair of the Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs, who have provided leadership and support since 2006. CASA is funded by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. BAC’s 2007-2008 CASA programs are supported by the following New York City Council members: Bill De Blasio, Erik Martin Dilan, Mathieu Eugene, Simcha Felder, Lewis Fidler, Sara Gonzalez, Darlene Mealy, Michael C. Nelson, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Kendall B. Stewart and David Yassky.
CASA was initiated by Christine C. Quinn, New York City Council Speaker, and Councilman Domenic M. Recchia Jr., Chair of the Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs, who have provided leadership and support since 2006. CASA is funded by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. BAC’s 2007-2008 CASA programs are supported by the following New York City Council members: Bill De Blasio, Erik Martin Dilan, Mathieu Eugene, Simcha Felder, Lewis Fidler, Sara Gonzalez, Darlene Mealy, Michael C. Nelson, Domenic M. Recchia, Jr., Kendall B. Stewart and David Yassky.
Additional support for Brooklyn Arts Council's CASA programs is provided by Keyspan.Related Categories
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