Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of formerly enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas. The Young Audiences Arts for Learning network is proud to celebrate this national holiday with arts-integrated programs and events for young people and their families. Read on for some of this year's highlights.
We'll continue to update this page with events and activities.
Arts & Learning Conservatory (Costa Mesa, CA)
Now in its third year, Gospel Voice of OC showcases the richness of African American culture through the arts. Debora Wondercheck, Arts & Learning Conservatory's CEO and Founder, leads the production team behind this multi-generational staged performance that spotlights music as a source of historical impact and resiliency. The production shares a message of unity, hope, and joy through Spirituals, Gospel, classical, jazz music, dance, spoken word and more. Transcending social divides through harmonies and history, the production brings all people of all ages together in celebration and inspiration.
This year's theme was Sacred Grounds, Soulful Queens, honoring women who impacted the trajectory of music and the arts from different genres and created a blueprint in American arts from enslavement to today. Learn more.
Arts for Learning Massachusetts (Boston, MA)
Storyteller Valerie Tutson presents Journey to Juneteenth, a special program celebrating Juneteenth. In a collection of stories celebrating freedom, you will hear of the day news of Emancipation came to Galveston, Texas through the eyes of a fictional character Valerie created and calls Ma'lizzy. Learn about her life as an enslaved person, the day General Granger read Order No 3, and what happened to her and her family after they were free.
Young Audiences of Louisiana
YALA celebrated Juneteenth at Rosa F. Keller Library with its fourth annual event, featuring a singalong, performers, activities, and free book for kids. This year, YALA is honoring Juneteenth in a unique way, by creating a non-denominational ancestral altar for our office that reflects on the narratives and ingenuity of those who escaped enslavement. YALA has also created a special Juneteenth scavenger hunt with "artifacts" that reveal harrowing stories of escape: songs, safe houses, disguises, maps, and more. Learn more here.
Arts for Learning Virginia
Three AFL VA artists are helping commemorate Juneteenth through free and family-friendly programming.
- Valerie Davis – From Minty to Harriett
- Nathan Richardson – Frederick Douglass: “On Slavery and Emancipation”
- Dylan Pritchett – Essential African Threads
Arts for Learning Maryland
Arts for Learning Maryland celebrated the holiday at Sankofa Children's Museum of African Cultures with painting, wine, food, and live music performed by teaching artist Ssuuna! We hope Juneteenth brought you just as much joy as we felt being in community with each other.
