This month, YA-WNY is beginning a long-term residency at Heritage Centers After School Program with funding from the Children’s Guild Foundation.
A Rhythm Runs Through It is a long-term arts integration program incorporating dance, music, yoga, and visual arts for young people throughout the year, in a 33-visit residency at the Heritage Centers After School Program. A Rhythm Runs Through It includes multi-session residencies with YA-WNY Teaching Artists — Sarah Hooper, Miriam Minkoff and Jen Russo. The program builds sequential skills that develop physical coordination, visual communication abilities, and confidence, using rhythm as the unifying element. As multiple artists introduce participants to their art forms, the program progresses through a variety of skills.
A Rhythm Runs Through It is a unique program because it leverages kinesthetic activities, literacy skills and creative expression to help participants develop comprehensive coordination and communication abilities. The program uses the arts to apply the findings of current research on how kinesthetic activities enhance brain development, physical and mental coordination, and language processing.
A Rhythm Runs Through It is also unique because of the unusual partnership between an arts organization like YA-WNY and a human service agency such as Heritage Centers. The program provides a learning opportunity for all stakeholders that builds capacity for long-term partnerships between YA-WNY and special needs educators.
The ultimate objective of A Rhythm Runs Through It is to help young people with special needs become more independent, confident, and productive. Young people who have special needs often find success through the arts, leading to greater confidence in all academic subjects.
