A Community of Artists

by John Alecca

Artists have the amazing ability to adapt and adjust in the most creative and innovative ways. Throughout this school year, we gathered our roster of teaching artist and arts partners to learn and share what tools and resources have been discovered and how can we assist in developing on-line virtual programming that showcases their work and continues to inspire and engage kids.

More than half of our teaching artists and arts partners adapted their programs for the virtual classroom and distance learning.

Professional Development Training

Young Audiences offered artists professional development and one-on-one coaching with Viscom Studios. Sessions revealed useful “hacks” to improve the lighting, sound, and physical space of each artist’s at-home studio.

A Library of Online Performances

We are pleased to have been able to safely work with various community partners, to focus on filming four assembly performance artists and one professional development specialists in action, including: 

Halau o Keikiali’i – Traditional Hawaiian Dance and Music

Kirk Waller – Storytelling from the Deep South, Africa, and the Civil Rights Movement

SoVoSo – Black History Celebration

AXIS Dance Company – Dance is for Everybody

Arts Ed Matters – Magical Moments with Michelle

Performances were captured at arts partner organizations including California Shakespeare Theater’s Bruns Amphitheater, the International Hotel Maniliatown Center, and Rhythmix Cultural Works.

Featured image: a screenshot of AXIS Dance Company's virtual performance.