Community Programs
Art is naturally community building, and provides a channel for social and emotional expression. Perkins Center Community Programs are created to reduce financial, emotional, geographic, and social barriers to the Arts. Community programs include onsite programs such as free concerts and discussions, and off-site programs such as in-school artist residencies, Arts experiences at community events, and more.
Perkins Center’s ARTS (Arts Reaching the Students) in-school residency program places professional artists in local schools for residencies ranging in length from 6 to 20 days. Individually designed projects build visual skills, develop deliberate habits of mind, teach problem-solving strategies and encourage communication among students. Perkins Center’s teaching artists work closely with the school’s art and classroom teachers to incorporate the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, 21st Century Skills and the National Arts Standards into the learning process.
The ARTS Program is co-sponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Past Perkins Center ARTS programs have introduced students to a variety of media, including papermaking, fabric arts, sculpture, painting, theater, dance and mural arts
Themes incorporated into the residencies have included cultural diversity, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and individual school themes related to character values and year long study areas.
- More Information
- Request a Program for your school
- Contact the Director of Education
Perkins Center is proud to offer center access and benefits to NJ Families First Card holders. These benefits include:
-Free Family Membership to Perkins Center
-Free admission to all public programming including exhibitions, receptions, community concerts;
-10 Tickets put aside for each ticketed program (40% discount off ticket price);
-Automatic qualification for scholarship application (awarded as available – limited number of scholarships available annually).
To take advantage of these benefits please present your pass at the Receptionist Desk or call 856-235-6488 to redeem it.
Perkins Center’s free programs take place both on and off site and are often generously supported by our granting partners and donors.
Free programs include: (each title is a click through tab like Giving Opps)
Coffee & Classics – Take an afternoon break with us during our twice-monthly music series. This series of free concerts takes place from Fall to Spring in our Moorestown location on Thursdays at 2:00pm. These intimate concerts vary from jazz duets, flute, sing-along holiday tunes, classical works, piano solos and more. Check out our events page for more information (link)
Conversations on Culture – Redirect to Conversations on Culture under the Folklife tab
Perkins World Stage – Redirect to World Stage under the Folklife tab
Youth Arts Party – This free Arts party features an exciting array of performance and activities for families of all ages. Youth Arts Party takes place during March, Youth Arts month. In 2022, we welcomed Dominican Republic dance troop Segunda Quimbamba, who performed and taught Bomba Plena dancing! Check out our events page for more information (link)
Pumpkin Party – Celebrate the Autumn season with this costume party at our Moorestown location. Paint a pumpkin, learn some new dance moves, show off your favorite costume, and take plenty of photos at this family friendly event. Check out our events page for more information (link)
Community Arts Experiences – Perkins Center often takes part in local community events like Moorestown Day, the Collingswood Crafts & Fine Arts Festival, Daffodil Day, and MORE! We create unique and exciting arts experiences for event goers to enjoy for free! Are you interested in having us present at your upcoming community event? Contact us at create@perkinscenter.org. Check out our events page for upcoming events (link)
