Image: YA Week NYC Event with David Dik, YA's National Executive Director; Sydney Renwick, Director of Community Outreach at Senator Schumer's Office; Kim Greenberg, YANY's Board Chairman, and Eileen Doyle, YANY's Executive Director with PS 163M students
US Senate Proclamation Celebrates Young Audiences Arts for Learning’s Programs in New York State
US House Resolution Designates March 16-22 As National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week
Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) has issued a US Senate Proclamation that announces his support of Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week (YA Week) and the programs of the three Young Audiences affiliates in NY state. The Proclamation was presented to David A. Dik, National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Executive Director, during the YA Week flagship event at PS163M in New York City on Tuesday, March 18, 2014.
The Senate Proclamation states that an arts education is “an essential element of a complete and balanced education for students. Arts-in-education enables students to develop critical thinking, creativity, and alternative ways to communicate and express emotions, both inside and outside the classroom. The three New York affiliates have worked with nearly a half a million students each year”.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) also recognized Young Audiences Arts for Learning and YA Week with a letter that stated: “By providing a rich and dynamic cultural education through a diverse offering of programs and curriculum, [Young Audiences Arts for Learning is] affording parents, teachers and most importantly students the opportunity to gain valuable exposure to the arts”.
In tandem with the US Senate Proclamation, the House Resolution, introduced by Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY 25th District) co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, designated the week of March 16-22, 2014 as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week. YA Week honors the contributions Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) has made to schools nationwide through its arts-in-education programs and to encourages Americans to recognize the important contribution the arts make to society.
National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week is being observed across the country by Young Audiences' affiliates with special events, school activities, residencies, and performances promoting awareness of YA’s arts-in-education programs. It is estimated that more than 34,000 students are participating in a Young Audiences Arts for Learning program this week. At the state level, Maryland’s Governor, Martin O’Malley has issued a State Proclamation to Young Audiences/Arts for Learning Maryland; and Young Audiences of Western New York received a Citation from New York State Senator Mark Grisanti thanking them for their incredible work.
Founded in 1952, Young Audiences Arts for Learning is the nation’s leading source of arts in education services. YA’s mission is to inspire young people and to expand their learning through the arts. Its network of 30 affiliates with 4,400 teaching artists and 84,000 programs reaches almost 5 million children in 9,000 schools and community centers across the country. Its services include arts-integrated workshops and residencies, and professional learning opportunities for educators and artists.
Press Contact: Marcus Romero, Communications Manager
Young Audiences Arts for Learning
T: 212-860-1563 X108, E: marcus@ya.org
