How Schools Are Turning Arts Funding Into Magic!
posted on Jan 22 2025
Arts funding is more than just a budget line—it's an investment in creativity, collaboration, and community. Across New York City, schools are using their resources to unlock the full potential of their students, engaging teachers, parents, and students in ways that spark joy and foster long-term impact.
At mainstages, we've seen how innovative arts partnerships create magic in schools and we want to share our unique recipe for your success.
A CASE STUDY IN SUCCESS
Recently, P.S. 114 Ryder Elementary demonstrated the transformative power of arts partnership with an inspiring plan that connects storytelling, family engagement, and interactive learning. For this blog post, we shine a spotlight on the services we're curating.
Workshops Worth Telling Stories About
P.S. 114 is diving into an 8-week workshop series for grades K-2 called Fairy Tales Around the World . This program isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about cultural exploration and creativity. mainstages will visit 8 classes a week (4 per day.) Each class will work on a unique tale from a different part of the world, learning about diverse traditions while developing teamwork and performance skills.
As students rehearse and prepare for a culminating presentation that includes all the classes, they become more confident, empathetic, and excited to share their creativity. According to Americans for the Arts, young people who engage in the arts are 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance. This shows that engaging with the arts isn’t just fun—it’s fundamental.
Bringing Families Into the Fun
Recognizing the importance of family engagement, P.S. 114 also planned a Family Fun Game Show . This lively event is designed to bring students, teachers, and parents together for a shared experience filled with laughter, trivia, and teamwork. It's more than entertainment—it's about building connections within the school community.
Family engagement in schools has been shown to boost student success. Studies from the National Education Association reveal that students with engaged families are more likely to earn higher grades and graduate. Events like this game show turn schools into hubs of excitement and inclusivity, where everyone feels like part of the story.
Interactive Performances That Inspire
To round out their plan, P.S. 114 added an interactive assembly, Defying Gravity . This high-energy performance is designed to captivate and inspire, using theater as a tool to explore values like resilience, kindness, and collaboration. Performances like these aren’t passive experiences—they invite students to be part of the action, creating moments they’ll remember for years to come.
Interactive performances are a proven way to deepen learning. A study by the Arts Education Partnership found that students who participate in live performances show enhanced critical thinking skills and increased empathy. When students see themselves reflected in stories and performances, they become more connected to their school and community.
Make the Magic Happen at Your School
If your school has arts funding available, now is the perfect time to invest in creative programming that inspires students, engages families, and strengthens your community. Whether it’s a storytelling workshop, an engaging game show, or an unforgettable interactive assembly, we’re here to help you turn your vision into reality.
Ready to get started? Let’s connect and explore how we can bring the magic to your school.
posted on Jan 22 2025
Matt is a seasoned camp and theater professional with over 20 years staff experience at both day and resident camps. Matt graduated New York University's Tisch School Of The Arts with degrees in Theater and Applied Education and served as Company Manager of the New Acting Company in New York City.
Matt has toured with the National Theater for Children and has written, directed, and produced over 150 shows for children. Matt is a consultant on theatrical services for summer camps and is a presenter for the American Camp Association on theatrical best practices.
Matt is proud to be a founding member of the mainstages team and is passionate about the goal of using creativity to inspire social action and strengthen theatrical arts in the youth movement.