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’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)
Perkins Center for the Arts’ concert series are your chance to find your favorite new band, check out the local music scene, and support musicians. We attract regionally and nationally recognized bands and solo acts. Our concert series include:
Perkins DeCafe House Concerts – The Moorestown DeCafe House Concert is a warm coffeehouse environment where great folks gather to enjoy live folk music, jazz, the blues, or world music once per month. Performers range from nationally known singer-songwriters to talented local musicians on the verge of breaking out.
In partnership with the Township of Moorestown, Perkins hosts two concerts on the lawn each June. Concerts are free and open to the public.
Tickets go quickly and space is limited in order to provide an intimate setting for audience and performers alike. In keeping with its coffeehouse inspiration, the cost of admission includes coffee, tea, and light fare.
The paid series continues from October to April.
Lawn Chair Concerts – Bring your lawn chair to Perkins Center for the Arts Evergreen Lawn and enjoy family friendly free concerts featuring Perkins’ Conservatory of Music faculty and their professional colleagues.
This annual Summer event will feature two concerts at our Moorestown location. Bring your family and friends (including pets) to our Moorestown Center and enjoy a picnic on our Evergreen Lawn during the concert!
This series is FREE and open to the public. All ages are welcome. Our concerts are presented by Horizon Foundation for New Jersey with additional support from PNC Arts Alive and the Frank and Lydia Bergen Foundation. We thank our funders for their generous support that enables us to provide the gift of music to our communities.
Perkins Conservatory Indie Nights – Check out the local music scene with breakout indie acts at the Perkins Moorestown Evergreen Lawn. This ticket series runs from June to August.
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.
