FAMILY & YOUTH / SENIORS
Family,
Youth and Community Activities & Programs in the Fenway Cultural District
Boston Symphony Orchestra / The
Forsyth Institute / Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
/ The Mary Baker Eddy Library / Museum
of Fine Arts / New England Conservatory / YMCA
of Greater Boston
Boston Symphony
Orchestra
Youth and Family Concerts
Family Concerts are the perfect alternative to Saturday-morning cartoons.
Affordably priced, these performances are challenging yet accessible musical
experiences for the entire family.
In 1980 the BSO instituted the Metropolitan Youth concerts to bring students
from the Boston Public Schools into Symphony Hall on a regular basis.
Each year the orchestra provides free admission to two Youth Concerts
for more than 6,000 Boston students and their teachers.
Each performance includes music specifically chosen for young audiences
and is complemented by theatrical and visual elements that create an exciting
experience and encourage interaction between the conductor and the audience
members. Attending a concert at Symphony Hall is a memorable experience
for children, parents, and teachers alike.
Getting kids excited about the world of classical music is what Boston
Symphony Orchestra Youth and Family Concerts are all about!! Now under
the direction of Keith Lockhart, Youth concerts have brought the wonders
of great music into the lives of thousands of elementary, middle school
and high school students throughout the region. These young concert-goers
experience the thrill of coming to world-renowned Symphony Hall for a
concert performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and featuring a program
especially designed to educate and entertain. For students just embarking
on the study of a musical instrument, this a wonderful opportunity to
build a knowledge of orchestral repertoire, composers, and the workings
of an ensemble.
Days in the Arts
Fun in the summer sun plus an unforgettable arts experience--that's Days
in the Arts (DARTS) at Tanglewood! This highly effective program gives
fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-grade students from diverse backgrounds a
week-long immersion in the arts, including music, visual art, theater,
and dance. Each summer, 400 students, paired with their counterparts from
communities throughout Massachusetts, share exciting experiences in the
arts, learning along the way that we are a nation of many cultural traditions.
The goal is to have the students return to their homes having mastered
a new skill, discovered ways in which the arts can enrich their lives
and having gained a new friend.
With the guidance of our professional arts faculty, each student chooses
a specific discipline to study for the week, culminating in a presentation
that brings together all artistic disciplines. Students also spend afternoons
at Jacob's Pillow interacting with the resident dance company, or they
may find themselves backstage at Shakespeare & Co., or the Berkshire Theatre
Festival; they will experience a great artist's vision at the Norman Rockwell
Museum, or Chesterwood Museum and they may also attend a master class
with the young musicians of the Tanglewood Music Center or the Boston
University Tanglewood Institute. In addition the DARTS daily schedule
includes creative writing sessions designed to enhance the understanding
of the creative process.
High School Students Take Note Since 1959, when Harry Ellis Dickson founded
the BSO's current Youth Concerts series, the BSO has offered a Concerto
Competition for advanced high school instrumentalists (piano, string,
winds, and brass). In 1996 the BSO competition and the Brookline Youth
Concerto Competition merged to create a stronger event. As a result we
now offer two First Place awards: the Cornelius A. & Muriel P. Wood Award,
which includes a cash award and a performance at a Boston Symphony Youth
or Family Concert; and the Harry & Marion Dubbs Brookline Youth Concert
Award, which also includes a cash award and a performance at a Boston
Pops concert.
For the winners, many of whom have gone on to careers as soloists, orchestral
musicians, or teachers, it is a thrilling opportunity to perform with
a world-famous ensemble. In fact, two BSO members are former competition
winners--longtime bassist Larry Wolfe and newly appointed violinist Nurit
Bar-Josef.
Community Partnerships
An important component of the Boston Symphony Orchestra's mission is to
encourage music education and strengthen community ties. The orchestra
is particularly proud of its Community Partnerships with the public schools
and community leaders of Roxbury, Chelsea, Peabody, Lawrence, Lynn and
Worcester. As one of the foremost arts organizations in the country, the
BSO accepts its responsibility to help shape the future of our young people,
for they are the audiences of tomorrow. The orchestra's community programs
tailored to the particular needs of each constituency, address the need
for high-quality arts exposure and music education in the public schools.
In addition to forging alliances between the BSO and the community, Community
Partnerships help make these audiences feel welcome and comfortable in
Symphony Hall, and provide opportunities for families to spend quality
time together.
The BSO's oldest community collaboration, The Roxbury Community Program,
is unique in that it is not conducted through the schools; rather, it
is implemented through more than 80 community, cultural, social organizations
and churches located in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain.
Through shared learning and listening experiences, the program works to
strengthen families and reinforce their children's musical education
The
Forsyth Institute
Forsyth Educational Outreach Program
The purpose of the Educational Outreach Program is to:
Introduce Forsyth and its scientific mission to Boston high schools.
Introduce underrepresented young people to educational/career opportunities
in basic science research, in particular oral and craniofacial science.
Provide inner-city high school students with eight weeks of research in
a scientific laboratory.
History
In 1993, The Forsyth Institute initiated a program for Boston's science-oriented
minority students and their teachers. Inspired by a model created by the
American Association for Dental Research, Forsyth began its own Educational
Outreach Program. Since its inception, more than 400 students have attended
Forsyth's After School Workshop and more than 45 have held paid summer
internships in Forsyth laboratories. Since 1998, Colgate-Palmolive has
partnered with Forsyth to sponsor this Program.
Components
Visiting Scientists from Forsyth are available to Boston high schools
to describe oral and craniofacial science, Forsyth and career opportunities
in scientific research.
The After School Workshop Program invites interested high school students
and teachers to Forsyth for a hands-on research laboratory experience
in a discipline of their choice. After learning of Forsyth's scientific
mission, and a tour of the facility, students in groups participate in
research in a particular laboratory. They reconvene to discuss their findings
and impressions.
The Summer Internship offers an eight-week paid internship, during which
students are paired with Forsyth researchers as mentors. Over the summer,
the interns learn basic laboratory techniques and participate in ongoing
research projects. At the end of the program, students present scientific
posters describing their findings. Students may continue working on their
projects during the academic year.
A Source of Pride
Students feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in their work. Although
the mentors assign research projects, the students often shape the research
to fit their own interests, many choosing to enter their projects in city
and statewide science fairs. In addition to science fair awards, their
achievements have been recognized outside Forsyth in the form of published
articles.
Student interns spend the summer in a productive and enriching environment.
For these underrepresented youth, the Educational Outreach Program not
only is often their first "real" job, but also may be their first step
toward a future career path filled with challenges and achievements.
Want to Know More?
For information about Forsyth's Educational Outreach Program, contact
Dr. Martin Taubman, program director, at 617-262-5200, ext 314 or via
email at mtaubman@forsyth.org.
Isabella
Stewart Gardner Museum
To request information about fees or a Registration Form contact:
Johnetta Tinker, Director of Community Programs
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
2 Palace Road
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-278-5126
Fax: 617-278-5175
jtinker@isgm.org
Group Visits
Guided museum and garden tours must be arranged three weeks in advance.
Modest fees are charged. Discounted group rates are available to adult,
senior, and student groups with fifteen or more people. Please call 617-566-1401
and press 6. For more information and reservations, contact the tour coordinator
at 617-278-5147. Tours are also available by the Education Department,
providing young audiences with a lively, interactive experience.
Education Department School Partnerships and Project Explore
The Museum's two multi-visit outreach programs, focus on building partnerships
with local schools and community centers through year-long collaborations
with teachers, students, and community leaders.
The Education Department now offers a series of Saturday morning workshops
for children ages 6-10 accompanied by an adult. Called "Family Fun," the
two-hour workshops provide interesting encounters with art for young children,
including a close look at artwork in the galleries and a hands-on art
making project in our new studio space. Workshops begin at 10 a.m., before
the Museum is open to the public, and are limited to 20 participants.
The cost for each adult-and-child pair is $15 for members, $20 for non-members.
Come join us for some artful fun!
"Eyes on Art," a helpful guide for young audiences, is also available
at the Museum to make exhibits fun and interesting. Tours and group tours
are also led by lecturers from the Museum's Department of Education.
Project Explore Partnership
Project Explore is a collaboration between the Gardner Museum and community
professionals in the Y.M.C.A.'s Black Achievers Program. This multi-visit
partnership program exposes teens and young adults from six local alternative
schools and neighborhood after-school community centers and organizations
to career opportunities in the arts. Participants get an in-depth view
of the Museum through "Behind the Scenes" tours with Museum staff from
the Conservation, Curatorial, Horticulture, Security, Public Programs,
and Music Departments. Black Achievers volunteer their time as role models
and assist as tour guides, offering support and guidance to the young
adult participants.
Museum Associates Program
The Education Department at the Gardner Museum annually selects two young
adults who participated in the Project Explore program to become Museum
Associates. The Museum Associates work several hours per week in the Museum
to gain special knowledge of the inner workings of museums and to develop
important professional and social skills while being exposed to careers
in the arts. The Museum Associates are trained by Education staff to assist
as tour guides and to act as role models to elementary and middle school
children who participate in the School Partnerships program. This program
is a collaboration between the Gardner Museum's Education staff and the
teachers and students in the Project Explore and School Partnerships programs.
School Tours
All groups must register at least three weeks in advance by calling 617-278-5147.
A visit may be guided or self-guided. Guided tours are led by trained
Gallery Teachers with an interactive approach to learning. All group visits
are scheduled to arrive between 11:15 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., Tuesday through
Sunday.
Self-Guided Visits
Several learning resources are available for self-guided groups. Please
ask about them when you register. The Education Department also offers
a curriculum guide, entitled Eyes on Art, for teachers to use with students.
Costs: Registration fee & Admission fees
Guided Tours
Group tours of the collection are led by Gallery Teachers for a modest
fee. Gallery Teachers highlight major works in the collection and encourage
looking at and learning from art. A Gallery Teacher can accommodate a
maximum of fifteen (15) visitors. Additional Gallery Teachers will be
assigned to groups with more than fifteen (15) visitors. Costs: Registration
fee, Admission fees & Gallery Teacher(s) fee(s)
Special Note for School Groups The Museum requires that there be one (1)
chaperone for every ten (10) students in a school group. These chaperones
are asked to familiarize themselves with the Museum Guidelines and assist
Museum staff with their enforcement while visiting the Museum. Please
note: Teachers and chaperones are admitted free of charge.
The Mary Baker
Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity
Summer SOULstice
Children from the Boston community gather at the fountain on the Christian
Science Plaza in Boston for the annual Summer SOULstice free music
and arts festival. Beginning with a special kick-off celebration with
Mayor Thomas Menino, the mid-day events continued every Tuesday through
the end of August, and featured a host of popular performers, including
the Boston Pops, Huntington Theatre Company, Topf Center for Dance, Inca
Son, Victor Cockburn, Ortega Stylz Band, Drumming About You, Sidewalk
Sam, Rami Salami and Susan Bloom.
Last year's program also included a "quiet time," during which children
enjoyed storytelling with the Boston Public Library and explored the secret
life of plants with the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. On many days,
Radio Disney(R) joined the celebration with free books and frozen treats
for all the children, while the local Marche restaurant provided free
hot dogs to the lunch-hour crowds, at times numbering upward of 700.
If you would like more information about the Library's Summer SOULstice
program or are interested in participating as a performer at next year's
Summer SOULstice, please call 617-450-7319 or send an e-mail to
summersoulstice@marybakereddylibrary.org.
Watch this website for the latest Summer Soulstice deatils!
Museum
of Fine Arts, Boston
Materials for Families
Self-guiding booklets written for a range of age levels help families
actively explore American and European paintings, and art from China,
Japan, Egypt, and the Sudan. Booklets and pencils are available free of
charge at the Information Center at all times.
Children's Room
This free, drop-in gallery and workshop program is designed for children
ages 6 to 12. Classes involve children in an active exploration of the
MFA's collections through art projects, drama, poetry, and music. Classes
meet from 3:30 to 4:45, Monday through Friday from September to May, and
Monday through Thursday from July to August. Meet at the Sharf Information
Center just before class time. No groups larger than five, please. Children's
Room does not meet on Monday holidays or during school vacation weeks.
Parents may pick up their children at 4:45 pm outside the workshop studio,
Court Level, West Wing. Visit the Children and Families Calendar for the
weekly topics.
Artful Adventures
Programs for community and special-needs groups; call 369-3303.
Boston's Family Place & Children's Room
Designed for children ages 4 and up with an adult, Family Place self-guiding
activities promote active learning through sketching, puzzles, and games
in the galleries. Travel through Impressionist landscapes; meet powerful
kings, queens, gods, and goddesses; hunt for fantastic creatures, or unravel
the mysteries of the mummies! Family Place is free with MFA admission
and meets every Saturday and Sunday, October through June, from 11 am
to 4 pm. Meet in the education lobby, Court Level.
Materials for Families
Self-guiding booklets written for a range of age levels help families
actively explore American and European paintings, and art from China,
Japan, Egypt, and the Sudan. Booklets and pencils are available free of
charge at the Information Center at all times.
For information on all of the above call 617-369-3300, and for a current
calender of events, visit www.mfa.org/education/childrenteenfamily.htm
New
England Conservatory
Preparatory School
Students may enroll for any program of lessons, classes, and ensembles
for which they qualify. Early childhood studies involve children as young
as 4 years old in Eurhythmics classes, and older and more advanced students
can choose from a full range of music theory, jazz, and private instrumental,
composition, and voice studies. Performance ensembles range from the NEC
Children's and Youth Choirs to the critically acclaimed NEC Youth Philharmonia
Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Zander. The complete description listings
for courses follow, along with registration/placement procedures for each
field of study.
For more information call (617) 585-1130 or visit www.newenglandconservatory.edu/prep
Wheelock Family Theatre
Radically inclusive family theatre
180 The Riverway
617-879-2300
YMCA
of Greater Boston
Youth Programs
Aquatics
Swimming is not just a fun sport but great exercise even for kids! Children
may select from a variety of aquatics programs geared for the beginner
to the expert. You can find everything from private swim lessons to lifeguard
training at many of our branches. There are also a number of programs
including programs for infants, swim team options for teens and older
children, as well as aerobics geared for youth.
Education & Training
The YMCA offers youth employment support programs as well as other informal
education classes for youth.
Enrichment
Preschool and youth enrichment programs include classes that help children
grow and explore their world.
Fitness Programs
The YMCA of Greater Boston has a large number of fitnessprograms to make
sure that young people get the appropriate work out.
Leadership
YMCA youth leadership programs help train young leaders for tomorrow.
Sports
YMCA youth sports helps children learn how to work together as a team.
Everyone plays and everyone learns sportsmanship and values.
Sports Skills
Sports skills classes include gymnastics and other sports with an emphasis
on skills development
For more information call 617-927-8060, or visit www.ymcaboston.org
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© 2003 The Fenway Alliance, Inc.