FEDERATED TEEN ART PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION, AGAIN
Art a la Carte, the teen art collaborative of Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses Inc., was recognized today by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities as one of 40 national semi-finalists for the 2001 “Coming Up Taller Awards” for the fourth time in the four-year existence of the awards.
(PRWEB) January 11, 2002
FEDERATED TEEN ART PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION, AGAIN
Dorchester, MA (January 10, 2002) - Make it four out of four, Art a la Carte, the teen art collaborative of Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses, was recognized today by the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities as one of 40 national semi-finalists for the 2001 “Coming Up Taller Awards” for the fourth time in the four-year existence of the awards.
The ceremony, held at the Boston Foundation, was hosted by the Massachusetts Cultural Council with Mayor Menino as a special guest.
“These awards celebrate the creativity of our young people and highlight the excellence of our Art a la Carte program and the dedication of its teachers,” stated Deborah Aspen, Art a la Carte’s Coordinator. “We are very excited to be nationally recognized again this year.”
Annually, the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, selects 40 semi-finalists and 10 finalists which “foster creative and intellectual development of America’s youth through education and practical experience in the arts and the humanities.” Art a la Carte was selected as a semi-finalist from over 200 entries submitted throughout the United States.
Art a la Carte, now in its 9th year, provides local teens and youth from all over Boston with an exciting hands-on series of classes, workshops and field trips. The program uses area artists, museums and galleries to give arts instruction and enhance life skills for over 100 youth annually. Many Art a la Carte students go on to major art schools, colleges, and universities.
“We offer a wide range of disciplines in both the visual and performing arts; classes range from painting and metal-sculpting to African drumming and Break-dancing,” said Aspen. “This variety gives teens the opportunity to explore art forms they might otherwise not encounter. If they enjoy something in particular, we can arrange for them to study it in depth through more advanced classes.
Funded in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Art a la Carte is another way in which Federated uses the arts, not only for arts sake, but to connect people with their families and communities, with other cultures, and educational and employment opportunities.
“This is a tremendous honor for the young people, the teachers, and for the Federated community,” said Kimberly Smith-Cofield, Federated’s Chief Executive Officer. “The quality of the artwork that the youth produce in this program is extraordinary. Just as extraordinary is that this marks the fourth consecutive year Art a la Carte has been among a select group of 40 programs across the nation singled out for their work with teens. This is truly an amazing program and also another example how Federated is fulfilling our mission of to build a community where families and individuals have possibilities for personal growth and an improved quality of life.”
Art a la Carte classes are offered free of charge. For additional program information and the schedule of classes, call Deborah Aspen at (617) 474-1160.
###
Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses, Inc. was established in 1965 when three turn-of-the-century settlement houses in Boston consolidated their fiscal and administrative operations. Today, Federated consists of Denison House, The Little House, Log School Settlement House, and Dorchester House, plus Dorchester Center for Adult Education, and Kit Clark Senior Services. Together, these agencies provide a continuum of social, recreational, education, health, and family support services to children, teens, adults, and elders in BostonÂ’s neighborhoods.
