{"id":100654,"date":"2020-04-21T14:52:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-21T18:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=100654"},"modified":"2020-04-21T14:52:14","modified_gmt":"2020-04-21T18:52:14","slug":"artsquest-and-bethlehem-school-district-launch-virtual-afterschool-program-for-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=100654","title":{"rendered":"ARTSQUEST AND BETHLEHEM SCHOOL DISTRICT LAUNCH VIRTUAL AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Online version of popular \u2018ArtSmart\u2019 program, made possible by KingSpry, is also open to other school districts in the region<\/span><\/p>\n

BETHLEHEM, PA–One of Bethlehem Area School District\u2019s most popular afterschool education programs is set to resume virtually this week as ArtsQuest offers its ArtSmart afterschool enrichment program via ArtsQuest@Home<\/a>. The ArtSmart@Home<\/b> initiative, which will offer online programs in visual arts, comedy, dance and literary arts, is also being opened to all area school districts during his time of social distancing and online learning thanks to the support of law firm King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC.<\/p>\n

Designed for middle and elementary school students, the ArtSmart program at the Banana Factory provides personalized, hands-on instruction\u00a0in artforms like ceramics, painting, drawing, glassblowing, photography, mosaics, printmaking and fiber arts. Classes, which take place Mondays-Thursdays at the arts center, are led by professional ArtsQuest Teaching Artists, with a focus on complementing what students are learning as part of their school curriculum. ArtSmart, which has been offered for more than 15 years and is the longest running education program between BASD and ArtsQuest, serves more than 500 BASD students annually.<\/p>\n

As a result of the stay at home order and Commonwealth schools being closed, ArtSmart classes at the Banana Factory ended the week of March 2. However, as BASD started online learning, Broughal Middle School Activities Coordinator Michael Kimmel reached out to ArtsQuest to see if the nonprofit could continue to present its program. ArtsQuest staff responded by developing a new curriculum that featured a combination of virtual versions of its regular ArtSmart programming, as well as new programming like dance.<\/p>\n

“ArtsQuest, through the ArtSmart program, has been a valuable partner in engaging Broughal’s youth throughout the school year,\u201d says Kimmel. \u201cNow more than\u00a0ever, we’re relying on community organizations to help us engage our youth to show them that we’re still here for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cArtSmart@Home will be an important tool in helping us bridge this understanding by continuing to engage their artistic\u00a0minds and show them that they can still dream and imagine even during difficult times.”<\/p>\n

ArtSmart@Home Schedule (all programs start at 4:30 p.m.)<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Comedy Monday<\/b> \u2013 This web series focuses on teaching students basic improv skills. ArtsQuest Comedy Coordinator and comedian Addyson Teal, who regularly teaches this popular class, will also present the online version.<\/p>\n

Stay Creative Tuesday<\/b> \u2013 ArtsQuest Visual Arts Manager Elena Ostock offers online tutorials and easy-to-follow lessons for creating unique works of art using materials found in home and yard.<\/p>\n

NEW – Keep Moving Wednesday<\/b> \u2013 ArtsQuest Education Coordinator and dance educator Joanne Garcia teaches basic dance moves to get people up and moving while sheltering at home. Students can learn salsa, merengue, bachata and more.<\/p>\n

Creative Writing Thursday (live via Zoom)<\/b>
\nBethlehem Area Public Library director and author Josh Berk teaches different writing styles and encourages students to try them themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cArtsQuest is committed to providing enrichment opportunities for students in our community in these challenging times,\u201d says ArtsQuest Sr. Director of Visual Arts and Education Lisa Harms. \u201cOur goal is to support the tremendous work of the Bethlehem Area School District staff and faculty who have gone above and beyond to facilitate remote learning for all of their students.<\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n

\u201cThough the spring semester of the ArtSmart afterschool program at the Banana Factory was cut short, we hope that this resource of curated programming will provide parents with a way to engage their children through dance, comedy, art and writing. We\u2019re thankful for the support of KingSpry to make this programming possible, and for our partnership with the Bethlehem Area Public Library to offer a Creative Writing class on Thursdays with Director Josh Berk.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to ArtSmart programming, ArtsQuest is providing a variety of other music and arts related resources and online programs for area students and families during the stay at home period. These include:<\/p>\n