By David Markham
Nearly 25 homeschool programs are being offered during the September through December season by JCPRD’s Fine & Performing Arts Department.
“The passion behind creating these programs was to meet the unique needs of our homeschool community,” explained Performing Arts Coordinator Ryan Bell. “Since we created these programs alongside homeschool families, we truly hope the time we took to plan, create, and develop something as special and unique as they are is apparent in the dynamic programming we now offer! Each of our homeschool fine and performing arts programs have specific technical goals unique to that program, but across the board we want our homeschool participants to feel their creative side being challenged, growing while having fun, and gaining a sense of community.”
“I’m thrilled to be offering so many new performing arts homeschool programs this year (see marked programs below),” added Performing Arts Coordinator Lacey Connell. “I had the pleasure of building these programs in tandem with a homeschool family who is heavily involved in the Kansas City performing arts scene. These programs were created with both the family dynamic and student interests in mind to meet the creative need and ebb and flow of the unique homeschool family schedule.”
So, what makes fine and performing arts homeschool offerings different from other programs?
“All our fine arts programs focus not just on technical skills and materials, but also include art theory and art historical components which helps give the students a fully-formed arts education,” Bell explained. “Our Maker programs are unique as they’re the only long-term series for homeschool students in the area that allow the students to use STEAM concepts while getting hands-on with tools, electronics, 3D printing, and more.”
“The performing arts programming allows extra time for students to truly study the discipline within the class they are taking,” Connell added. “The first 30 minute of each class is devoted solely to discussion of music, dance, theatre history, vocabulary, and theory. Then the kiddos take that new knowledge and apply it in a hands-on way in the final hour of each session.”
Each of the coordinators mentioned a homeschool offering this year they are especially excited about.
“I’m excited about one of our long-standing programs: Homeschool Art Adventures Level I. Our retuning homeschool students are growing up within our programs, which means we have a lot of brand-new students in our Homeschool Art Adventures Level I classes this fall and we’re really excited to meet new students who want to learn more about art!”
“I am especially excited for our Technical Theatre Adventures program, which is offered three times this season for ages eight to 18. This class lets performers take a more behind-the-scenes-look at directing, stage management, design, and execution of productions. A rare opportunity for folks within this age bracket!”
Here is the listing of upcoming homeschool programs. All classes take place at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center, 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park.
Sept. 5
Sept. 6
Sept. 7
Sept. 8
Oct. 3
Oct. 4
Oct. 6
Nov. 1
Nov. 7
Nov. 29
Nov. 30