Page 23 - 13th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards Program

Arts &Culture

Jessica Heins, Program Director Kieran Johnson, Executive Director
Dancing Classrooms Long Island Huntington Arts Council
205 Durkee Lane, East Patchogue, NY 11772 213 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743
(516) 506-3503 | www.dancingclassroomsli.org (631) 271-8423 | www.huntingtonarts.org
In 2007 CoDanceCo (CDC) received a Dana Foundation grant to become a licensed network Since 1963, the Huntington Arts Council has enriched the quality of life of Long Islanders with
affiliate site for Pierre Dulaine’s acclaimed Dancing Classrooms™ (DC) arts-in-education programs and services that address the needs and interests of artists, cultural organizations and
program. CDC’s mission, dba Dancing Classrooms Long Island (DCLI), is to foster the physical, community.
social-emotional, and creative health of youth and adults through the art of dance. DCLI’s The arts have significant impact on both the local community and economy. Huntington Arts
programs enable students to unplug, look up, and connect with one another, cultivating engaged Council’s (HAC) programs, partnerships and initiatives, are as diverse as the arts themselves,
learners, collaborative leaders, inclusive spaces, and building the foundation for a lifetime of providing the space and resources needed to fuel the creative sector on Long Island. Accessibility
character, dignity and leadership.
and inclusivity are core to our mission. Serving both Nassau and Suffolk counties we reach over
Dancing Classrooms curricula reflect the legacies of each dance and make connections to the a million people; artists, arts organizations, families, students, educators and more. HAC’s work
cultures and perspectives of our students. The core tenet of all our programs is providing a safe in the creative field has had an economic impact of over $35million dollars annually.
space for social emotional learning and growth. For in-school programs, all students in the Long Island Grants for the Arts awards critical funding for all creatives, resulting in equitable
grade or unit participate regardless of learning style. access to the arts across Long Island. Our Arts in Education program, Journey, integrates
Our programs have expanded to include adults of all ages and physical abilities. In addition cultural arts into k-12 curriculum, providing individualized experiences and appreciation of
to the Silver Edition program for adults and our core Residency for 4th-8th graders, DCLI cultural diversity. The annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival provides FREE access to
provides after school programs; Dancing with Rhythms and Stories for K-2; the Colors of the the performing arts. It features diverse talent of music, dance, and theatrical performances
Rainbow Team Match, a wonderful community-builder bringing together students, schools presented in an outdoor theater. The gallery program provides artists of all media, opportunities
and parents from across Long Island; and custom workshops designed to enhance chosen to exhibit, professionalize and engage the community at large in an all-inclusive community
curriculum areas. Our programs are continuously updated to meet LI students’ and teachers’ center for patrons and artists alike. HAC strengthens the arts and cultural sector with free
needs. communication resources supporting artists, opportunities, and cultural events.

In partnership with schools and community organizations spanning Nassau and Suffolk, DCLI We present these programs with pride and care, as stewards of Long Island’s cultural vibrancy, rich
has inspired over 25,000 students ages 7-90 to celebrate their cultural diversity and embrace historical legacy, and world class creative community.
their shared humanity.
Erika Floreska, President Tom Dunn, Executive & Artistic Director
Long Island Children’s Museum Tilles Center for the Performing Arts Long Island University Post
11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville, NY 11548
(516) 224-5813 | www.licm.org (516) 299-3100 | www.TillesCenter.org
The Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) is a community-centered, cultural institution Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
dedicated to connecting all our communities’ children—and those who care for them—to one entertaining and enriching the Long Island community through live performance, education,
another and to a life of wonder, imagination, and exploration. Guided by the belief that play and advocacy. Welcoming over 150,000 visitors annually, Tilles Center presents the world’s
fuels creativity and learning, LICM centers the well-being of children and families through finest artists across all genres. As Long Island’s premier cultural institution, it is committed to
joyful, interactive experiences in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Through play and creative preserving and showcasing a wide range of art forms—from classical, pop, and jazz music to
exploration, LICM nurtures the next generation of thinkers, problem solvers, artists, audiences, Broadway, cabaret, dance, cultural programing, comedy and theater, including performing arts
and engaged citizens. for children and families.
Founded in 1989, LICM is the most visited museum on Long Island, welcoming over 320,000 With a focus on inclusivity and artistic excellence, Tilles Center curates performances that
visitors annually. The Museum offers 14 interactive exhibit galleries, hands-on programs in reflect diverse perspectives and push the boundaries of innovation within the performing arts.
the arts, sciences, and humanities, weekly early childhood workshops, three annual traveling Its mission is rooted in the belief that the arts have the power to inspire, connect, and elevate
exhibits, and an award-winning theater that presents a diverse range of family-friendly the human experience.
performances. LICM also brings high-quality programming directly to schools, libraries, and
community organizations through its robust outreach initiatives.
Beyond the stage, Tilles Center supports tens of thousands of learners each year through robust
Signature Community Outreach programs include a kindergarten success program for families, arts education programs. These initiatives prioritize access for under resourced communities,
a STEM partnership with an underserved school district, and LICM4all—an institution-wide including low-income school districts, individuals on the autism spectrum, and local seniors.
initiative to better serve children with disabilities. These programs are offered at no cost,
primarily serving low-income and underrepresented families. LICM also has a robust Access Through its programming and outreach, Tilles Center empowers the unique ability of the arts
program that provides free/reduced price admission. to foster communication and understanding among people, support social and emotional well-
being, and demonstrate the highest potential for human achievement.
A nationally recognized leader, LICM is one of only 16 children’s museums in the U.S.
accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. With honors including the National Medal
for Museum and Library Service and the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award,
LICM is distinguished for its excellence, innovation, and deep commitment to its community.
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