Young Audiences’ Arts Lab Announces Artist Residencies in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

CONTACT:
Liz Winter
Education Operations Director
609.243.9000
[email protected]

Young Audiences’ Arts Lab Announces Artist Residencies in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania Schools
27 Schools Awarded in 14 Counties

Young Audiences (YA) is pleased to announce that 27 schools in New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania have been selected for YA’s Arts Lab. After an open call to all K-12 schools in the region, 51 schools submitted an application. Schools were chosen for their teams’ creative vision for student learning and their commitment to arts education.

Young Audiences Arts Lab grants place professional teaching artists in the classroom for residencies that range from 5 to 10 days. Residencies are customized for grade level and arts discipline. They can include assemblies and workshops for students, professional development for teachers, and a culminating event to engage families and the community. Residencies will occur in person and include art forms such as sculpture, music composition, storytelling, step dance, and more. 

This program is made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Grunin Foundation, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.  

Participating schools are:  

Leeds Avenue Elementary School (Pleasantville, NJ – Atlantic County)
Washington Avenue Elementary (Pleasantville, NJ – Atlantic County)
Gavlak Elementary (Wallington, NJ – Bergen County)
LEAP Academy University Charter School* (Camden, NJ – Camden County)
Morgan Village Middle School* (Camden, NJ – Camden County)
West Cape May School District (West Cape May, NJ – Cape May County)
Broad Street School (Bridgeton, NJ – Cumberland County)
Downe Township Elementary School (Newport, NJ – Cumberland County)
Academy Park High School (Sharon Hill, PA – Delaware County)
St. Laurence School (Upper Darby, PA – Delaware County)
Bradford Elementary School (Montclair, NJ – Essex County)
Lacordaire Academy (Montclair, NJ – Essex County)
McKinley Elementary School (Newark, NJ – Essex County)
Quitman Street School (Newark, NJ – Essex County)
South Street School (Newark, NJ – Essex County)
West Orange Public Schools (West Orange, NJ – Essex County)
Learning Community Charter School (Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County)
Greenwood Elementary School (Hamilton, NJ – Mercer County)
Middlesex County STEM Charter School (South Amboy, NJ and Perth Amboy, NJ – Middlesex County)
West Belmar Elementary School (Wall, NJ – Monmouth County)
East Dover Elementary School (Toms River,  NJ – Ocean County)
Ocean Road Elementary School (Point Pleasant, NJ – Ocean County)
Piner Elementary (Lakewood, NJ – Ocean County)
Walnut Street Elementary (Toms River, NJ – Ocean County)
Clifton School Seventeen (Clifton, NJ – Passaic County)
Haledon Public School (Haledon, NJ – Passaic County)
McGinn Elementary (Scotch Plains, NJ – Union County)

*These schools will experience 10-day residencies, made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

“We are grateful that our funding partners make it possible for us to reach more New Jersey schools and bring transformative arts programming to students,” says President and CEO of Young Audiences Michele Russo. “These opportunities ignite creativity, inspire confidence, and open doors to self-expression.”

“We are so excited to have YA’s teaching artists in our schools again! This continued funding has a positive impact on our students’ education and wellbeing, our schools’ climate and culture and brings joy into our school,” says Kelly Davis, educator, Morgan Village Middle School, Camden, NJ.

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About Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA

Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA, established in 1973, is the leading arts-in-education resource in the region, offering teaching artist-led performances, workshops, residencies, and professional learning programs to schools across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. With an extensive roster of professional artists spanning various art forms, Young Audiences has impacted more than 15 million children in its 50-year history. Committed to inspiring young minds and fostering inclusive learning environments, Young Audiences strives to ensure that every child receives rich and meaningful arts experiences. Through diverse and accessible programs, the organization aims to strengthen arts education, meet curriculum standards, and enrich cultural life in communities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit yanjep.org.

About Arts Lab

Arts Lab allows schools and YA staff to design programming that meets the curricular and student needs of each partner school.  YA’s professional teaching artists bring experiences to schools including performances, workshops, professional learning, and community and family arts nights. The selection of schools is made through an application process. Applications are accepted in the fall and early spring. To learn more, visit yanjep.org/arts-lab.

About the New Jersey State Council on the Arts

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, created in 1966, is a division of the NJ Department of State and a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Council was established to encourage and foster public interest in the arts; enlarge public and private resources devoted to the arts; promote freedom of expression in the arts; and facilitate the inclusion of art in every public building in New Jersey. The Council believes the arts are central to every element we value most in a modern society including human understanding; cultural and civic pride; strong communities; excellent schools; lifelong learning; creative expression; and economic opportunity. To learn more about the Council, visit artscouncil.nj.gov.