Our mission is to inspire, expand learning, and strengthen our community through engagement with the arts. | | | |
As summer approaches in Western New York, we’re taking a moment to celebrate a season full of creativity, connection, and community impact. Over the past several months, Arts for Learning WNY has continued bringing arts-integrated learning experiences to classrooms, community spaces, and families throughout the region.
Some of our favorite highlights from this spring include:
- Celebrating Family ArtFest with more than 800 community members
- Supporting ArtWorks apprentices as they prepared for their Spring Showcase
- Distributing more than 1,500 free Arts Integration Kits throughout the community
- Preparing an additional 1,000+ kits for distribution this summer
One of the most exciting parts of this work has been watching our Arts Integration Kits initiative grow from a simple idea into a meaningful community resource. Each kit provides children and families with free art supplies, books, and hands-on creative learning opportunities designed to spark imagination and encourage creativity at home.
As we prepare for another year of programming and distribution, we invite you to help us continue expanding access to the arts across Western New York. Every donation directly supports creative opportunities for local children and families.
Thank you for being part of this work and for helping us continue making creativity accessible to all.
-The Arts for Learning WNY Team
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It Takes a Village:
Community Partners Supporting
Arts Integration Kits
Our Arts Integration Kits initiative has had a tremendous impact over its first full year since its establishment last year. As the scope of this project, the impact of our work, and the horizon of potential all grow, we are fortunate to enjoy the support of a number of individuals, organizations, and other community partners. This support provides us with opportunities to expand and strengthen our efforts to provide access to Arts Integration Kits to young learners and families all over Western New York.
We are proud and grateful to highlight two of our community partners that have helped to ensure the success of Arts Integration Kit distribution over this calendar year—Five Star Bank and The Teacher's Desk.
Read more below...
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Five Star Bank
Helps Bring Arts Integration Kits to Families
The Five Star Bank team has supported our work in a variety of impactful ways. From providing financial support for our ArtWorks program to helping us build connections with partners across the region, their commitment has helped us grow and deepen our reach. Their employees have also generously shared expertise with our ArtWorks apprentices, offering professional development sessions on topics including financial literacy, human resources, and other essential workplace skills.
Most recently, in March, we were incredibly grateful to welcome a team of volunteers from Five Star Bank who helped us assemble more than 1,000 Arts Integration Kits. Their time and energy made a tremendous impact and came at just the right moment as we prepared for National Young Audiences Week - one of our busiest and most joyful times of sharing the arts throughout our community.
Learn about the impact of our partnership with Five Star Bank!
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The Teacher's Desk Supplies Arts Integration Kits with Creative Resources
We were grateful for the recent opportunity to work with The Teacher’s Desk, a local organization dedicated to providing free school supplies to students and teachers in Western New York. Thanks to the distribution efforts and thousands of volunteer hours provided by The Teacher’s Desk, approximately $8,500,000 worth of new school supplies finds its way to students and teachers all across our region every year.
Supplies provided by The Teacher’s Desk have helped to bolster our growing Arts Integration Kit initiative. Since April, supplies from The Teacher’s Desk have been included in over 1,000 kits distributed to families in Western New York. During that time, kits have been shared with families at Buffalo & Erie County Public Library branches, Arts for Learning events like Family ArtFest, and various community partners including The Belle Center, The United Somali Alliance of Buffalo, and Groundwork Market Garden.
Read more about our partnership with The Teacher's Desk!
| | Advocating for the Arts: Young Audiences National Conference 2026 | |
This past March, Executive Director Amelia Schrader and Director of Programs Allison Rabent traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the Young Audiences National Arts in Education Conference.
The two-day conference presented many opportunities to learn from and exchange ideas with representatives from other affiliates of Young Audiences from across the country. Attendees explored a diverse array of issues important to the implementation of arts programming.
In addition to an engaging conference, Amelia and Allison were joined by Dawn Hill, a 4th grade teacher at Waterfront Elementary School, for a day of advocacy on Capitol Hill. The three met with the offices of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), and Rep. Tim Kennedy (NY-26) to speak about the importance of protecting and expanding access to arts education through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Read about how Amelia and Allison's time at the Young Audiences National Conference will impact the arts in Western New York!
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Family ArtFest 2026:
A Day Full of
Creativity and Community
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On April 11th, we had the pleasure of celebrating creativity and community with over 800 of our neighbors and fellow art-enthusiasts at our 3rd Annual Family ArtFest at the historic Broadway Market!
The day was overflowing of excitement and featured a wide range of performances, activities, and other artistic opportunities. Between magic shows, balloon twisting, face painting, BubbleMania, live music, and an incredible selection of activity stations overseen by Teaching Artists and ArtWorks apprentices, the possibilities were endless.
200 families returned home with a special Family ArtFest Arts Integration Kit while others walked away with watercolor masterpieces, mini zines full of artwork, and uniquely crafted glass magnets....but everybody left with a renewed sense of creativity and enthusiasm for the arts.
Read all about an incredible day at Family ArtFest 2026 and enjoy our photo album full of our favorite memories from the day!
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APPLICATIONS OPEN:
Join Arts for Learning WNY as
an ArtWorks Apprentice
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Hired to Create.
Inspired to Succeed.
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We are excited to announce that we are hiring ArtWorks Apprentices for the 2026-2027 school year!
Open Interviews: Wednesday, June 10th and Tuesday, June 16th (4:00pm - 6:00pm)
Application Form: Here
ArtWorks is an one-of-a-kind opportunity in which teens are paid to learn, create art, and develop important skills in a real-world environment. Apprentices engage in deep exploration of artistic disciplines under the guidance of Teaching Artists with years of experience. The benefits of ArtWorks extend far beyond artistry, though. Apprentices are exposed to a vast array of professional opportunities as they develop a diverse skillset that prepares them to succeed in any path they choose to pursue after high school.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the Arts for Learning office before open interviews with any questions. Visit the ArtWorks page on our website to learn more about the program and how to apply. We hope to hear from you soon!
Learn more and start your application today!
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UPCOMING ARTS INTEGRATION KIT
DISTRIBUTION EVENTS
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The BPS
Summit
June 6th
11am - 6pm
All-High Stadium @ Bennett High School
Join us at this day of celebration for students, families, and school staff across all of BPS.
500 Arts Integration Kits will be distributed throughout the day; a variety of kits will be available.
Learn more...
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Buffalo Juneteenth Festival
June 13th - June 14th
Activities All Weekend
MLK Park
Join us as we "honor the past, serve the present, and inspire the future" at the Buffalo Juneteenth Festival.
200 Arts Integration Kits will be distributed throughout the weekend-long festival. Two different kits will be available, each featuring a book focusing on the historical and contemporary relevance of Juneteenth.
Learn more...
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Masten Family Reunion
June 19th
3pm - 9pm
MLK Park
Bring the whole family to the Third Annual Masten Family Reunion, a day of celebration, connection, and community pride.
300 Arts Integration Kits featuring "The Juneteenth Story" will be distributed to children and families at the event.
Learn more...
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Doug Yeomans Musical Performance
Friday, May 22
1pm - 2pm
Clarence Senior Center
Doug Yeomans brings a wealth of performance experience spanning genres from Bluegrass to Jazz, and his engaging personality captivates audiences of all ages.
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Catch the Reading Bug with
The WonderMakers
Tuesday, May 26
5:30pm - 6:20pm
Clarence Senior Center
Grandma Knows Best! Enjoy the excitement of storytelling as The Wondermakers bring stories to life in an afternoon of story-fueled fun!
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Erie Canal Songs
with Judd Sunshine
Friday, June 19
1pm - 2pm
Clarence Senior Center
Judd Sunshine brings an afternoon of interactive music that is sure to leave you with a tapping foot and a song in your heart!
| | SUPPORT ARTS FOR LEARNING | |
Every child deserves the opportunity to imagine, create, and realize their full potential through the arts. Please consider making a charitable donation today that will directly impact the lives of our youth through our arts programming.
We cannot do it without you.
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