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Huntington Arts Council established the Journey Program two decades ago as a means of integrating the arts into the school curriculum. What began as a modest arts-in-education project has since grown to include eight school districts in and around the Township of Huntington serving upwards of 40,000 children from K-12.
Commack UFSD, Elwood UFSD, Harborfields CSD, Huntington UFSD,
Northport/East Northport UFSD, North Babylon UFSD,
Plainview/Old Bethpage CSD, South Huntington UFSD,
Journey's ongoing success is based on three components:
- Cultural Arts Workshops for Teachers to facilitate the introduction of cultures into the classroom. Workshops provide professional development and/or in-service credit in accordance with the rules of each partner district.
- Artist Visits for workshops, performances or residencies within each school or classroom.
- Discovery Chests available for teachers to borrow for a two week period. Students experience hands-on learning with cultural artifacts and traditional objects. Each portable chest contains 30 or more pieces including audio-visual materials, books, a catalogue and a teacher's handbook. Currently offering Africa, Ancient Egypt, China, India, Latin America and Native America.
HAC's arts-in-education also extends to the community at large by:
- Bringing cultural enrichment to young people who may be deprived of opportunities outside the school environment;
- Collaborating with long-standing partners such as the Town of Huntington and the Heckscher Museum to encourage children's involvement in the arts;
- Making internship positions available for high school students to work as stage technicians during the Summer Arts Festival.
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