Charles E. Schumer Honors Young Audiences New York for Commitment to Further Arts Education in New York

Young Audiences New York (www.yany.org) announced today that The Honorable Charles E. Schumer honored the organization by issuing a proclamation recognizing and honoring "Young Audiences New York for its commitment to further arts education in New York." The event coincided with activities taking place during National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week (March 16-22)an effort to drive attention to the critical importance of arts in our schools and communities.

Praise for the organization in the Proclamation included:"For 60 year Young Audience New York has dedicated their time to arts education and helping children to become lifelong learners, ensuring students excel in college and in their career."

This week's spotlight events in New York City are part of Young Audiences New York's ongoing mission to give kids great arts instruction in partnership with schools and community organizations. Events that took place on March 18, 2014 included a Creative Dance Residency at P. S. 163 in Manhattan where Third grade students under the direction of Teaching Artist Yloy Ybarra gave a Mexican inspired dance performance and Kim Greenberg, Chair, Young Audiences New York, presented the School Community of P. S. 163 with this year's Children's Arts Award, thanking the parents, teachers and school leadership for their commitment to making arts education a reality for all the kids in the school. Parents and members of the school community attended the event.

And, an Afterschool Early Education Percussion Residency at Teacher's College Community School (TCCS) where two kindergarten classes at TCCS are currently receiving a year-long afterschool workshop in musical concepts and percussion under the instruction of Teaching Artists Trey Files and Eric Phinney. The residency focuses on traditional playing techniques and rhythms using Middle Eastern percussion instruments.

Eileen Doyle, Executive Director of Young Audiences New York says: "Too often we focus on what is not working in our schools and communities. At Young Audiences New York, we are inspired by the way a diversity of parents, teachers and school administrators at P.S. 163 work together to make sure all children benefit from integration of arts instruction into the school day.

"Young Audiences New York is also excited to be in partnership with the Teacher's College Community School on our new kindergarten percussion program. This extends learning for kids beyond the school day, via a high quality, experiential program that engages kids. We are eager to expand this model to help more kids develop an early love of learning, cooperating, persevering and pursuing masteryimportant life skills and successful habits of mind that can be taught so well through the arts

Young Audiences New York is an affiliate of National Young Audiences Arts for Learning. The congressionally designated "National YA Week" taking place March 16 -22, 2014 commemorates the contributions Young Audiences Arts for Learning has made to schools nationwide through its arts in education programs. Across the country, 23 YA affiliates in 18 states are celebrating National YA Week and raising awareness for arts and education initiatives in schools and community venues. It is estimated that more than 35,000 students will be participating in a Young Audiences Arts for Learning program during this week. In addition to the New York City celebrations other highlights include free public presentations of programming in Richmond, Virginia; and a Conference in Connecticut with the theme of creating statewide opportunities with artists with disabilities.

About Young Audiences New York
Young Audiences New York is one of New York City's oldest and most wellrespected arts education organizations. Our programs connect highly skilled teaching artists with school and communities throughout the country. We take pride in understanding a partner's objectives and needs and fulfilling those goals with our diverse program offerings. Last year, our programs reached more than 25,000 students in over 60 New York City schools. YANY's Literature to Life national tour brought arts education to an additional 30,000 students in 30 states.