780 Salem Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07208 | 908.469.1211
Current and Past Partnerships
Collaboration and partnership are core to the DNA of the Institute, with partners extending across the city and the region, including schools, social service agencies, government departments and other arts organizations. The Institute is able to work with this broad range of institutions due to its unique program models, its sensitivity to organizational needs and its insistence of the arts programming becoming a youth development priority before work begins. Past and current partners include:
- Union County Division of Youth Services: Xpression Avenue Arts Tour
Multi-site, broad-based performing arts experiences for hundreds of at-risk youth. - Restore Ministries: Poetry and Music Club
- Teen program for immigrant and low-income students through this 360-degree youth service agency.
- Elizabethport Center teaches vital computer literacy and media interpretation skills, directly preparing older students for better jobs.
- YWCA of Eastern Union County: Serving Survivors of Domestic Abuse
Arts programming to motivate, strengthen and encourage children affected by domestic violence. - Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless
Arts programming to enrich and excite children who are displaced or in transitional housing - Newark Public and Charter Schools
“Bendictine Academy is proud to support the Institute of Music for Children, a tremendous and inspring and comprehensive program of educational performing arts experiences made available to the wider Elizabeth, NJ community.
….a major provide of great services to our school and students.”
Ken Jennings
Principal, Benedictine Academy
“Our relationship with the Institute of Music for Children began with the Xpression Avenue Tour of ’09. The Institute introduced children and youth, ages 9-17 years of age, to an array of creative arts experiences that included art. Dance, music and creativ writing over a period of several weeks. We consider the X-Tour Project one of the most successful events have had the pleasure of being part of.”
Darrell C. Hatchett
Director, Union County Division of Youth Services
“The City of Elizabeth Office of Youth believes in this excellent institution and plans to be an active member in working with the organization.”
Stanley J. Neron
Supervisor, City of Elizabeth Office of Youth Services
“Prevention Links believes in the integrity and character of [the Institute of Music].
Prevention Links would like to thank Alysia Souder for her leadership, creativity, and dedication to the at-risk youth in Elizabeth, NJ….Your professionalism and the artists you endorse are largely what made and will make our programs and events such a success. Your hard work does not go unnoticed and is greatly appreciated.”
Pamela Capaci
Executive Director, Prevention Links
“The Institute was a benefit both to the agency and to the families that participated.
It is our hope that this partnership will continue and expand in the future, since the intersection of our missions – enhancing expression and using the arts to develop harmony, combined with the empowering women and children and healing their trauma through use of the arts – is a truly powerful combination.”
Janice C. Lilien
Executive Director
YWCA of Eastern Union County
Pricing
Pricing
Overview and Offerings
THE COMMUNITY ARTS INSTITUTE brings our Master Teaching Artists to schools, governments, community organizations and social service agencies throughout New Jersey to bring residencies and live performance to more than 500 students each year.
The Institute’s array of dynamic short and long-term residencies can be scaled to meet your site’s needs and budget.
Institute programs can serve to introduce students to an art form, enhance a school’s curriculum, assist in building social and communication skills or can be designed to address larger social issues including bullying, substance abuse and gang involvement.
Residencies last from 6-16 weeks with visual, performing and media artists that share lived experiences with the youth we serve and provide culturally relevant creative exploration. Our child-centered and trauma-informed approach successfully builds confidence, prosocial skills and academic engagement in our most vulnerable youth.
GROUP SIZE: Should not exceed 25 students per group served
LENGTH OF WORKSHOP DAY: A minimum of 1.5 hours and a maximum of 4 teaching hours per day
COST: Each program is designed to meet the specific goals, needs and budgets of the site.
Daily rates can range from $250 to $750 per day dependent on length of workshop day, art form, program structure. Supplies and travel cost may be additional.
Workshops
Workshops
Program Offerings
WORKSHOPS AND RESIDENCIES IN:
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Build the Beat teaches music and rhythms from around the world to students from K-12. Students learn the basics of percussion including rhythm, tone, and tempo and play a variety of percussion instruments including conga drums, shakers, tambourines, and more but then take this knowledge to build their own instruments from found objects.
Dance Expressions: Students explore a variety of dance styles that can include Modern, Jazz, African and Hip-Hop. This fun and high energy class focuses on building on the skills of the individual students and teaching them to work as an ensemble with a strong emphasis on learning proper dance technique including balance, body alignment, strength, flexibility, and coordination. Depending on the length of workshop students may also create original choreography that is showcased in a public performance.
Acting 4 All: Through theatre games and acting exercises, students learn the fundamentals of acting. Working individually and collaboratively, students strengthen the actor’s toolbox including vocal and movement work, they practice using imagination to create characters and explore a variety of experiences and become more confident, expressive and comfortable speaking in front of an audience. Acting residencies can be tailored to explore a specific theme or subject.
Poetry in Motion: Writing comes to life in a workshop that engages young people to appreciate, create and share poetry that is meaningful to them. Students explore words and the power of language by reading the works of established poets and then are guided to share their feelings and experiences by creating original poems. Spoken Word and Rap-styled writing can also be incorporated to excite all children to embrace self-expression through writing.
Mural Arts: From conception to formation, students work with a professional visual artist to create a public art piece and learn valuable skills in design, composition and aesthetics. Students will also build drawing and painting skills while exploring line, shape, form, movement, and color theory.
Electronic Music Production: Working with a traveling media lab, students learn the essentials of music composition while creating their own beats and songs. They will begin by learning Garageband software and explore its collection of loops, sounds and effects. Through the process of constructing their own songs, students learn about using rhythm, tempo and melody effectively. Depending on the length of the residency poetry or songwriting can be incorporated and students can also record vocals to complete their musical creations.
The What, Why and How to Build a Podcast: This program will teach students podcast production so that they fully understand all the stages of Podcasting. Starting with the idea/theme, students will then go on to development, research and scripting. After that, they will learn recording and sound editing. A podcast is a virtual way student can use audio to tell a story or share an opinion. There are many benefits to doing Podcasts; cultivating listening and speaking skills, empowering your voice and sharing with a larger audience.