NIA OST After School Programs Taking Activities to New Heights with Visual Arts, Puppetry and Circus Arts
The NIA continues to add quality and variety to the activities of its Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs. It has always been a priority for the NIA to explore ways in which it can improve the standard of services and enhance integrated learning within its after-school programs through art and culture.
“Due to continued support from the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) the NIA has been able to expand its arts-in-education programs,” stated Ryan Walquist, NIA’s Director of Program Operations. “This has enabled the NIA to build relationships like the one we have with Marquis Studios, since 2001, to help us deliver high quality activities in our after-school programs.”
The NIA collaborates with Marquis Studios team of teaching artists who offer activity residencies in disciplines as diverse as puppetry, circus arts, mural-making, architecture, visual arts, music, drawing, painting, storytelling, and movement. Marquis Studios Executive Director, Davis Marquis said, “The arts provide a true tool for learning about and understanding the world around us. When a child makes a work of art, dances a dance, paints a picture they are interpreting their world and showing that interpretation to us. This is creative thinking and creative thinkers are achievers in life.”
Witnessing these achievements in action, Dana Truce, NIA Program Coordinator at P.S. 186, added “Having these activities has always been a highlight in previous years. The students loved doing their architecture projects and their circus arts performances. These innovations bring another element to our program that allows the students to be creative in things they may never have tried before.”
Linda Panza, NIA Program Coordinator at P.S. 229 added, “NIA’s OST Program at P.S. 229 has 4 Marquis Studios activity residencies this spring. The children and staff were extremely excited about working with their groups. This has given the children a creative outlet to express who they are, and show their talents in a fun, enthusiastic way. I know they are proud of themselves as they work towards their completed projects and final performances.”
Currently the NIA has 16 of Marquis Studios activity residencies for the arts spread throughout some of its after-school programs at P.S. 186, P.S. 229, I.S. 227, and I.S. 281. Each activity residency runs from 10-12 weeks within the after-school program, and follows with a culminating project or performance. “This year Marquis Studios was able to receive funding from DYCD’s CASA initiative, which added to the number of activity residencies that the NIA received for its programs,” added Ryan Walquist, “I hope this partnership will continue, and that number can increase next year.”
Benefiting from the CASA funding, Susan Sczarnecki, NIA Program Coordinator of I.S. 281 said, “This is a terrific experience for our students to discover talents they never knew they had. It challenged our kids to be open to trying new things, but once they did they definitely liked it. I.S. 281 is now home to actors, actresses, dancers, jugglers, and artists. This is such a valued part of our program that I already have residencies picked out for next school year.”
