By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – For a quarter of a century, the Arts in Education Institute has enriched learning for school children throughout western new york. Now, the Institute is bringing it program to college students and adults.
Teaching artists from the institute have been working with students in grades pre-K through 12 for about 26 years. They offer an added dimension to standard curriculums through art, music, dance and performance. Research shows that the arts help students become better creative thinkers and problem solvers. So, the Institute decided that arts education might benefit older students too. Jackie Albarella is executive director of the Institute. She says they have a new collaboration with Medaille College where they're teaching the students who will one day be teaching younger students.
Albarella says they've also expanded the program to reach a range of older learners. The institute is sending teaching artists into community centers on the east side, and even to the Our Lady of Loretta Refugee Center. Albarella says immigrants have extra barriers to learning that the arts can help bridge.
Albarella says the Institute looks forward to expanding into a variety of local adult education programs. She says they're furthering their mission and helping to ensure the Institute's viability into the future.
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