U.S. HOUSE AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS DESIGNATE NATIONAL YOUNG AUDIENCES WEEK BEGINNING MARCH 12
Pittsburgh, PA – March 8, 2012 Gateway to the Arts, a proud affiliate of Young Audiences Arts for Learning, the nation’s first and largest arts-in-education network, invites local, state and national legislators to join us with local community leaders in celebrating “National Young Audiences Week” by attending one of our arts-in-education programs occurring Monday, March 12, 2012 through Wednesday, March 14, 2012.
The United States Senate and House of Representatives have issued resolutions S. Res.1418 and H. Res. 574 designating the week beginning March 12, 2012 as "National Young Audiences Week" to honor the contributions Young Audiences has made to schools nationwide through its arts-in-education programs and to encourage Americans to recognize the importance of the arts to society. The Senate resolution states that arts education, "including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education for all students."
The resolution also emphasizes that the arts not only foster academic success, but also support personal growth by developing critical thinking, problem solving skills, creativity, discipline, and cross-cultural understanding. As a Young Audiences’ affiliate the resolution recognizes that Gateway to the Arts “creates and disseminates learning resources and ideas for inspiring children, teachers and volunteers, and supports opportunities for schools, communities, educators and families to engage in the arts together.”
Formal invitations to attend Gateway’s programs have been sent to U.S. Senators Robert P. Casey, Jr., and Pat Toomey U.S. Representatives Jason Altmire, Mark Critz, Mike Doyle and Tim Murphy, along with PA State Senators Jim Ferlo, Wayne D. Fontana, John Pippy, Elder A. Vogel, Jr., and Representatives Daniel J. Deasy, Dan Frankel, Jim Marshall, Joseph Preston Jr., Rich Saccone, and Jake Wheatley.
Gateway to the Arts’ arts-in-education programs this week include an early childhood program for ages 3-5 with artist Alison Zapata, an in-school high school performance program by Shakespeare-in-the-Schools, afterschool artist residency workshops with Curtis Reaves and an in-school artist residency workshop with Amber Fantini in Pittsburgh and with the August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble in Rochester.
See attached document for the full schedule of Gateway to the Art’s programs and locations for Young Audiences Week and a copy of the Senate Resolution. More information on Gateway to the Arts programs can be found at gatewaytothearts.org or by contacting Carly V. McCoy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) at 412.362.6982.
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Gateway to the Arts is 501c (3) non-profit arts-in-education organization that annually reaches75,000 students, teachers and families at 250 sites in 10 counties of western Pennsylvania.
Mission Statement: Gateway to the Arts partners with professional performing and visual artists from our community to integrate quality arts experiences into the lives of western Pennsylvania students, educators and families.
Gateway to the Arts
National Young Audiences Week Events
Monday, March 12
9:00 am August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble at Rochester Area High School
Students trained by the AWCDE during their six-session residency will perform for their peers in the auditorium.
4:15-5:45 pm Photographer / Videographer Curtis Reaves at Lighthouse Project at Westinghouse Academy
Students explore social concerns and issues affecting their daily lives through the use of new media, focusing on video and/or photography as a vehicle for self-expression.
Tuesday, March 13
8:00-8:45 am Shakespeare-in-the-Schools at Thomas Jefferson High School
Shakespeare-in-the-Schools performs Shakespeare’s Lovers & Fighters, which features the bard’s most hair-raising fights and beloved romances, including selections from Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream
10:00-10:45 am Early Childhood Artist Alison Zapata at Seton Child Care
Alison adds a creative spark to StoryTime with this interactive reading of Eric Carle’s classic “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and helps the children make beautiful butterfly wings and create a fluttery butterfly parade.
Wednesday, March 14
10:30-11:00 am Early Childhood Artist Amber Fantini at St. Bede School
Midway through a seven-week Western PA Wolf Trap Early Learning through the Arts Residency, musician Amber Fantini will help children bring a picture book to life with a focus on pro-social relationships with peers.
4:15-5:45 pm Photographer / Videographer Curtis Reaves at Lighthouse Project at Westinghouse Academy
Students explore social concerns and issues affecting their daily lives through the use of new media, focusing on video and/or photography as a vehicle for self-expression.