The Summer Arts Institute’s 9th season took place for the first time this July at the beautiful Frank Sinatra School of the Arts facility in Astoria, Queens. This free, full-day, four-week arts intensive is now an official summer school program administered by the New York City Department of Education’s Office of Arts and Special Projects. Serving 276 auditioned middle and high school students majoring in dance, drama, film, vocal music, instrumental music, photography, or visual arts, the program enables students to expand their arts skills, connect with New York City’s rich cultural resources, and plan for their next steps as young artists.
During the program, students work side-by-side with master Department of Education arts specialists, partnering cultural organizations, and guest artists, who guide them in building a portfolio or audition skills for the next level of their studies: a specialized high school, college, university or conservatory. The daily schedule includes morning studio work and afternoon experiences with professional artists, on-site and off. In the morning studios, students work at developing and improving their technical skills and creative expression in their selected art form. Afternoons are dedicated to rehearsals, attending professional performances, visiting professional arts venues, and exploring potential careers.
A grand finale performance on July 29th for families, supporters, and the local community showcased the work of all seven art forms. The Fund for Public Schools raised generous private support for Summer Arts Institute 2010 from Tony Bennett’s nonprofit organization Exploring the Arts – and its partners Kaufman Astoria Studios and the Cartwheel Foundation – as well as the David Rockefeller Fund, the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District, and The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation. To learn more about the Summer Arts Institute, click here. You can join the mailing list to receive information about the 2011 Summer Arts Institute and view some of the projects from the 2010 program.