The Community Arts Academy is a NYS licensed arts-based after school program which provides a safe.positive, diverse after-school environment enriched with arts-based activities and fun! for school age students (aged 5-12) who attend schools in the city of Rochester.

Description:
The Community Arts Academy, located in the heart of the ArtWalk district at the corner of East Avenue and Goodman Streets, offers children an opportunity to discover dance, music, art and drama in an after school program. A segment of each day's program includes a session with a resource teacher who specializes in the arts. Activities culminate in two Open House theaters each year (January and June) with the goal of including all interested students. Traditional after school activities are also included and the program runs from
3:00 - 6:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. On Wednesday the program runs from 1:00 - 6:00 because of early dismissal. The CAA operates around the city and charter school schedules and offers all day care on selected vacation days.

The Community Arts Academy also offers an arts-based summer camp "Sail the Seven Seas is Six Weeks." This camp enhances the quality of life in our community through a diverse and inclusive cultural experience for school age students. Children receive passports and "travel" to six different regions of the world--one each week. Summer 2008 will include Cuba, Ireland, South Africa, China, Netherlands and Peru. Each week children learn a song and dance from the different regions as well as dramatize folk tales, create art projects and sample food from the different countries. Each week culminates on Friday with a performance for a senior citizen group and field trip related to our theme.

The Community Arts Academy would like two members of the Rochester community to participate on our Steering Committee which meets once per month (except December, July and August). Primarily we need people who are experienced in arts programs and who ascribe to our mission of promoting the arts in a diverse setting. Connecting with the corporate sponsors, expanding our student base to other city schools and developing a scholarship program are the primary goals of the CAA.

History:
The Community Arts Academy is completing 6 years of operation. The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word donates 5,000 sq. feet of space including a working stage, kitchen and large auditorium. The CAA was awarded a $25,000 NYS start up grant in 2002. Many of our students attend the Genesee Community Charter School on the RMSC campus. Presently we have 35 full-time and part-time students enrolled.

Contact people:

MaryAnn Hamilton, Board President, (phone), (email) Douglas Stewart, Director, Community Outreach, (phone)

Address:

597 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607 (See a map)

Directions:

597 East Ave is at the corner of East Avenue and Goodman Street. Entrance to the parking lot is off Goodman street. Please enter the parking lot door closest to Goodman St. and ring bell marked CAA.. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: East and Goodman, 2 minute walk