Category: Blog

Today we are taking a moment to learn about five new 2016-17 touring performances! From taiko to tap dance, they cover an array of artistic and cultural influences.

For the month of July, 11 selected students spent their days studying, discussing, and analyzing contemporary films and film theory at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts during Urban Gateways’ Art Options film apprenticeship program. The experience culminated in the students creating their own short films, which they presented at a professional screening. Read on for more about this exciting program.

Urban Gateways staffer Karl Saffran writes about poetry chapbooks, the communities they create, and the importance of nurturing emerging artists.

Students at Chinatown’s Haines Elementary worked with teaching artist Nicole Beck to learn about pollinator extinction and to create wearable artwork celebrating the importance of plants. They brought their creations to the 2016 STEAM Conference, where they were some of the youngest (and most fashionable) presenters!

Associate Board Member Colin Moore discusses why he got involved: Great times with great people, clear results, and the opportunity to see Urban Gateways’ impact firsthand.

Teaching artist James Jankowiak blogged to tell us about his six-week artist residency at ICCI, in which he and his K-6th grade students took full advantage of their short time together by creating beautiful abstractions.

Fifth grade students from St. Sylvester School in Palmer Square reflect on a Black History Month performance of Urban Gateways touring show “Amazing Africa”, touching on topics from artistic inspiration to cultural diversity.

Ellie O’Hagan is a practicing artist, as well as Urban Gateways’ Executive Assistant. She wrote this beautiful reflection for the Americans for the Arts ARTS Blog. See the original post …

After-school artist residency programs at Randolph provided 5th through 8th grade students with access to three different arts experiences: vocal music, African dance, and percussion.

Executive Director Eric Delli Bovi writes for Americans for the Arts’ ARTSblog about the importance of getting students out of the classroom to expand their learning; the good old-fashioned field trip is key.