About SmART in the City
SmART in the City 2009 is cultural arts camp for Cleveland fifth and sixth graders. The program will be offered in four Cleveland neighborhood schools and community center sites. This year SmART is projecting service to 180 children, or approximately 45 children per site. This program gives children who like to draw, dance, act, sing, and/or write, an opportunity to learn from skilled professional artists.
They will discover more about who they are and think creatively about who they might become. Students will be engaged in hands-on learning in at least two different art forms. Students will also be helped to stay sharp academically by reinforcement in spelling and vocabulary through journal and poetry writing.
“SmART in the City is a remarkably rich program that uses all the arts to help children learn more about who they are and who they can be as they face the challenges of adolescence,” said Kathleen Cerveny, program director for arts and culture at the foundation.
“Last year children blossomed as artists, poets, actors, and musicians in this program,” she continued, “and amazed their parents at their growth in self-confidence and self-awareness.”
One of those parents was Marianne Goldweber, mother of Jarred, who attended SmART in the City in 2008.
"Our SmART in the City experience was life changing,” Goldweber said. “The instructors gave him the confidence he needed to embrace his hidden talents. I can't thank you enough for giving my son permission to shine. I am forever grateful.”
Her son Jarred agreed.
“I was really surprised to meet some really cool people who were actors and professional musicians,” Jarred said. ”They helped me to be creative and try new things. I amazed myself when I started playing harmonica! Bobby Williams (the music instructor) believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. I didn't want the program to be over. I can't wait until this summer when the program starts again!"
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SmART in the City's second year was one of great success and personal achievement. Click here for sights and sounds from the program.
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We thank each one of our partners for participating in this program. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
- Opera Cleveland at Holy Name Elementary School
- Young Audiences at West Side Community House
- Great Lakes Theater Festival at St. Mel School
- CWRU at CWRU Art Studio