Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC) is set to bring a variety of experiences to students, young and old, as part of the Arts in Education programming to support and benefit students and artists.
The 2011-2012 season focuses on theater, music and dance, including master classes with the center’s Main Stage artists, a Kindermusik program for parents and young children, a trip to hear a professional opera company and a touring theater production using student actors performing for students in area schools.
TFAC’s strategic plan identifies several areas of focus. One of these is the development of educational programming. A committee of staff and volunteers representing area youth, education and the arts has identified and explored needs in the community where TFAC can best serve.
Emily Bartlett is a TFAC committee member and current director of Polk County Schools’ after school academy.
“The ability to create, design, invent, reflect and express are key skills for a young person’s success in life, and those skills are inherent in art,” Bartlett said.
TFAC Executive Director Beth Child said, “As we develop our Arts in Education programs, we’re being careful to fill the niches where arts in the schools and community can be cultivated. There’s no need to duplicate the good work being done by many organizations, but we’re finding there are places where we can be of service.”
The 2011-2012 calendar for Arts in Education:
Oct. 24-31: “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a 50-minute staged version of Washington Irving’s short story directed by Marianne Carruth, involves seven experienced and motivated high school student actors in 14 performances in an eight-day tour schedule. More than 3,000 students will attend performances in North and South Carolina, free of charge to the schools. A special performance will be held at TFAC for the public on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m.
Nov. 5, 11 a.m.: The Kruger Brothers, masters and innovators in traditional American music performing at TFAC on Nov. 4, will present a master class for students and community.
Dec. 10: TFAC will present “Christmas in Italy” for children and their families, with traditional art, music and stories.
January – May: Kindermusik, an interactive, a music education program benefiting children up to seven years old and their families, will be taught by Bryant Belin weekly beginning Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012.
Feb. 4: “Kids Explore: Rhythm in Color and Sound,” in conjunction with the “Explore the Arts” series presentation, will give local children the opportunity to explore the creative combination of painting to rhythm and sound, led by local artist Pat Ferullo.
March 10: Dancers from QuinTango, appearing as a part of TFAC’s main stage season, will teach the tango following the March 10 evening performance.
March 13: TFAC will rekindle a program started in the 1990s by Jack Wheaton, giving area students the opportunity to study, experience and appreciate opera by attending the professional opera “Il Trovatore,” offered by Bob Jones University.
April 7: “Kids Explore Improvisational Theater,” another extension of TFAC’s “Explore the Arts” series, lets children discover and develop their creativity under the leadership of writer and actor Darlene Cah.
April 28: Greensboro Youth Symphony will bring student musicians to Tryon.
TFAC is working on the development of a roster of local artists available for in-school residencies and other types of support for teachers and students to augment lessons taught in the classrooms. Intended to benefit teachers and students, as well as local artists, this reference will be ready in the spring of 2012.
For further information or for those who would like to volunteer, contact arts in education director Marianne Carruth at 828-859-8322 ext. 213.
– article submitted
by Marianne Carruth