FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Partners for Arts Education Celebrates at Syracuse Stage

(Syracuse, NY, February 22, 2006) The sewing machines were lined up in the hallways as a group of Nottingham High School students toiled late into the night last week. They were completing the final phase of a six-week-long exploration of Syracuse Stage’s production of Intimate Apparel.

Partners for Arts Education will showcase the fruits of the students’ labors on March 1st as part of an evening celebrating arts in education in Central New York. At a 6:30 pm reception, State Senator John DeFrancisco and David Ridings from NYSCA will be on hand to congratulate all the recipients of this year’s art$TART grants. The pre-performance reception is free and open to the public.

The reception will be followed by a special benefit performance of Intimate Apparel, Lynn Nottage’s award-winning play. Proceeds of this performance will benefit Partners for Arts Education (PAE). Tickets for this special performance are $30, and available by calling PAE at 234-9911.

“The Layering Project” has brought together 40 students, teachers Christina Ferlenda and Len Fonte, and theater artist and Syracuse Stage Director of Education Lauren Unbekant and fiber artist Ann Clarke as part of a project funded by art$TART. The Central New York arts-in-education grant, administered by Partners for Arts Education (PAE) and funded by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), provides matching funds to partner classroom teachers with artists of varying disciplines for projects that help students meet New York State’s education standards.

The collaborations give a deeper and more meaningful look into the play than standard teaching methods. Christina Ferlenda said, “I think this assignment has been and will continue to be a very positive experience.”

You can see pictures of the students at work and get more information on the project at PAE’s website.

Reception and Student art display: March 1, 6:30 pm, Coyne Lobby of Syracuse Stage; free and open to the public

Benefit performance of Intimate Apparel: March 1, 7:30 pm, Syracuse Stage; tickets $30 from PAE. 234.9911

Partners for Arts Education inspires learning and leadership for arts in education in Central New York and throughout New York State. We provide funding and support to deepen and enrich educational experiences in and through the arts for students, teachers and artists.

Partners for Arts Education
Delavan Center Suite 221  501 W. Fayette St.  Syracuse, NY  13202
315.234.9911  info@arts4ed.org  www.arts4ed.org

State of the Arts

NYSCA