Free YAMA Arts Learning Workshop Showcase

BOSTON – On Thursday, October 8, students at the Field School in Weston will be dancing, acting, writing songs, making masks, playing drums, telling stories, drawing, sculpting and designing. Thirteen teaching artists from Young Audiences of Massachusetts (YAMA) will be leading workshops in these art forms which are available to schools, libraries and other learning centers throughout the year. PTO arts committee members, teachers, principals and other youth arts coordinators are invited to observe these workshops throughout the day at this free event, hosted courtesy of the Weston Parent Teacher Organization.

Registration begins at 9:15 AM and workshops run through 12:50 PM. Participants will not only have the opportunity to preview a variety of exciting arts learning programs, but will also have the chance to speak directly with teaching artists, to network with other arts champions from throughout Massachusetts, and to speak with YAMA staff and volunteers about how best to select, schedule and coordinate workshop and residency programs. Attendees are asked to pre-register at yamass.org

Participating teaching artists include storyteller Andrea Lovett, folksinger/songwriter Alastair Moock, Eric Bornstein of Behind The Mask studio, theater artist Dennis Staroselsky, Flamenco artists Eve Costarelli and Antonio Tiriti, graphic designer Helen Duncan, dancer/choreographer Henry Kasdon of Mass Movement, Inc., storyteller Leeny Del Seamonds, Samba drummer Marcus Santos of Grooversity, storyteller Norah Dooley, clay sculptor Pam Golden children’s illustrator Raul III, and new YAMA teaching artists Nancy Bell, who’s program Heroines on the Homefront is about women’s contribution to the American Revolution through the art of spinning. These artists will lead workshops with Field School 4-5 graders, but are able to tailor their programs to multiple grades upon request.

“A burst of creative energy is the perfect way to kick off a school year,” says YAMA marketing and development manager Jason Rabin. “In an introductory arts workshop you get to see kids get that first glimpse of potential. It’s always a thrill.”

“This day will be full of imagination, inspiration and discovery,” says YAMA executive director Julie McConchie, “the magic of arts learning will be conjured and youth arts champions from every corner of Massachusetts are invited to come and play.”

ABOUT YOUNG AUDIENCES OF MASSACHUSETTS

Young Audiences of Massachusetts (YAMA) is a non-profit established in 1962 with the mission to “initiate life-long involvement in the arts by making them integral to every child’s education.” The organization works with artists, schools and community partners to find, develop and implement programming which leverages the many powers of the arts to strengthen learning skills, bring curriculum vibrantly to life and to introduce students to unfamiliar cultures and new modes of self expression.

After 50 years of service to Massachusetts, schools, libraries, museums and other learning centers throughout the Commonwealth have come to think of YAMA as the go-to resource for arts education programs—performances, hands-on workshops, and in-depth residencies—which are sure to be of the highest artistic quality and are also guaranteed to tie-in to state curriculum frameworks.

YAMA is one of 32 affiliates of Young Audiences, Arts-For-Learning, the largest arts education network in the country. This network provides access to leading researchers, arts education conferences and training guides for assessment and learning. Young Audiences, Inc. requires an accreditation review every five years, certifying that our chapter meets national standards of excellence in program and professional development.

To learn more about YAMA or about the upcoming Artist Showcases, visit yamass.org or contact Jason Rabin at jrabin@yamass.org.