News & Events

Young Audiences’ Arts Lab Announces Artist Residencies for the 2026-2027 School Year

YA Congratulates Schools that Completed Residencies This Year

12 Schools Awarded in 8 Counties

Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) is pleased to announce that 12 schools in New Jersey have been selected for grant-funded 10-day and 20-day residencies through YA’s Arts Lab. After an open call to all preK-12 schools in the region, 37 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 classrooms for long-term residencies. Residencies are customized for grade level and arts discipline and include workshops for students, professional development for teachers, and a culminating event to engage families and the community. 

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.  Young Audiences works in partnership with Count Basie Center for the Arts and Morris Arts to administer the residencies.  

Participating schools are:  

Awarded a 20-day residency 

  • Greater Brunswick Charter School (New Brunswick, NJ – Middlesex County – Theatre)
  • James Monroe Elementary School (Edison, NJ – Middlesex County – Dance)
  • John P. Holland Charter School (Woodland Park, NJ – Passaic County – Musical Theatre)
  • Paterson STEAM High School (Paterson, NJ – Passaic County – Theatre) 
  • Quinton Township School (Quinton Township, NJ – Salem County – Music)  
  • Silver Bay Elementary School (Toms River, NJ – Ocean County – Dance) 
  • Spring Garden School (Nutley, NJ – Essex County – Circus Arts) 
  • Ulysses S. Grant Intermediate School (Trenton, NJ – Mercer County – Folk / Traditional Arts) 
  • Walnut Street School (Toms River, NJ – Ocean County – Dance) 
  • Washington Avenue Elementary School (Pleasantville, NJ – Atlantic County – Dance) 

Awarded a 10-day residency 

  • Discovery Charter School (Newark, NJ – Essex County – Musical Theatre) 
  • Salomé Ureña Elementary School (Newark, NJ – Essex County – Photography) 

“We are thrilled to partner with these schools to bring their vision for arts education into reality this year. At a time when students are seeking new ways to express their voice, and connect with their peers, artist residencies are one of the most effective tools for student engagement and learning. By bringing professional teaching artists directly into relationship with students and teachers, we are building stronger, more vibrant school communities.  says President and CEO of Young Audiences Michele Russo.

“We are honored to be selected for the 2026–2027 Young Audiences Arts Lab 20-Day Residency and appreciate the opportunity to bring this valuable arts experience to our students.  Thank you again for your support and partnership,” says Aubree Corcoran, educator, Washington Avenue Elementary School, Pleasantville, NJ.

In addition, during the 2025-2026 school year, the following schools successfully completed Arts Lab residencies:

20 Day Residencies 

  • Academy of Greatness & Excellence (Ridgefield Park, NJ – Bergen County – Painting with Molly Gaston Johnson) 
  • Discovery Charter School  (Newark, NJ – Essex County – Musical Theatre with Jarrod Scott) 
  • Farmingdale School (Farmingdale, NJ –  Monmouth County – Set Design with Ashley Cusack) 
  • Hedgepeth Williams Intermediate School (Trenton, NJ – Mercer County – Visual Arts with Molly Gaston Johnson) 
  • Holy Cross Preparatory Academy (Delran, NJ –  Burlington County – Photojournalism with Erik James Montgomery) 
  • J. Fithian Tatem Elementary School (Haddonfield, NJ – Camden County – Mosaics with Gail Scuderi and Kate Sclavi)  
  • John P. Holland Charter School (Woodland Park, NJ – Passaic County – Musical Theatre with Aidan Martinez) 
  • Mannington Township School (Mannington Township, NJ – Salem County – Ceramics with Gail Scuderi) 
  • Middle Township High School (Cape May Court House, NJ – Cape May County – Ceramics with Gail Scuderi)  

10 Day Residencies

  • Clifton School 17 (Clifton, NJ – Passaic County – Music with Josh Robinson) 
  • Forest Hill Family School  (Camden, NJ – Camden County – Dance with Maxine Lyle) 
  • James Monroe Elementary School (Edison, NJ – Middlesex County – Dance with Maxine Lyle) 
  • Quinton Township School (Quinton Township, NJ – Salem County – Mural with Kate Sclavi) 
  • Rivera Elementary School (Trenton, NJ – Mercer County – Mural with Kate Sclavi) 
  • Salome Urena Elementary School (Newark, NJ – Essex County – Bomba & Plena with Segunda Quimbamba) 
  • Spring Garden School (Nutley, NJ – Essex – Puppetry Theatre with Renata Townsend)  
  • Vineland High School (Vineland, NJ – Cumberland County – Sculpture / Mosaic with Gail Scuderi) 
  • Walnut Street Elementary School (Toms River, NJ – Ocean County – Dance with Laura Marchese) 
  • Washington Avenue School (Pleasantville, NJ – Atlantic County – Mural with Molly Gaston Johnson) 

View pictures from Arts Lab: https://app.air.inc/a/b09536817

Made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Arts Council on the Arts, a partner organization of the National Endowment for the Arts.