Amount Requested: $100,000
The funding requested for this program will be used for artist fees, staff salaries, and production and marketing costs. The Arts-In-Education program has touched thousands of at-risk Poughkeepsie and Kingston inner-city youth. Teaching artists empower students through meaningful and life-changing residencies that, along with classroom curricula, fulfill state learning standards. Since the Arts-In-Education Program was initiated in 1994, thousands of at-risk children and teens from Poughkeepsie and Kingston inner-city schools have experience the empowering and life-altering residencies that are the program’s hallmark. 

The Arts-In-Education Program provides a team of superb teaching artists for the in-school residency series. Workshops and master classes make the meaningful connection of the arts to education that enhances learning and provides teachers with unique applications to curricula. Residencies culminate in a live production featuring the students and/or their work at the Bardavon, UPAC, and in community streets and parks. Deeply discounted tickets or free admission draws the students’ families, friends, and downtown neighbors (many low-income) into the venues, reinforcing a vital relationship between arts and urban communities. Further, the Arts-In-Education program focuses on school, peer, family, and community enrichment, plus provides at-risk youth with protective factors such as pro-social activities, skills-building opportunities, and positive recognition. During FY 2010, the Bardavon’s Arts-In-Education program will provide residencies, master classes, and workshops, culminating performances to targeted Poughkeepsie City and Kingston City schools.