The orchestra specifically gives children and youth a unique opportunity to access these types of benefits, she said. “Musicking, the act of engaging with music through listening, playing, singing, or movement, offers opportunities for children to practice various life skills: communication and sensitivity to others; self-regulation; offering their own talents and contributing to the betterment of their communities.”
They currently offer classes to young students through their after-school programs. These classes are designed to provide young dancers who may not be able to make it to their main studios access to training. This year they are offering classes at Creative Learning Academy and Episcopal Day School. Children and youth can also apply for scholarships to be able to train in-studio.
This summer, the symphony also plans to offer a program of coaching and teaching that will enhance the growth of young musicians in our community.
Pensacola Ballet Not only does Pensacola Ballet offer performances that children and youth of all ages look forward to each year such as the Nutcracker - they also are striving to give local youths of all walks of life and backgrounds access to the art form.
A Lost Art?
Exposing Children and Youth To Sewing Some may say sewing has become a bit of a lost art, but for Nestor Taylor it’s an art form that offers youth and children a unique way to express themselves while also learning valuable life skills. At his studio, Pins and Needles, he offers a variety of classes for children and youth of all ages from after-school programs to classes for children who are homeschooled. One program that is a passion of his is called Backstitch Outreach. In sewing, a backstitch is used to ensure that the stitches do not come unraveled, he said, adding, it is an essential part of keeping different fabrics together. “Backstitch Outreach has the goal of bringing the community together to serve the underprivileged, educate youth, and teach them traditional arts,” he said. “We desire to create a space for young people to come to instead of being on the streets. We want to be the stitches that help hold a community together.” Taylor believes that learning skills such as sewing helps to bring people together and allows youth the opportunity to learn team building and other skills they can take with them beyond the studio. In addition to offering scholarships for sewing lessons, Backstreet Outreach will also offer free sewing machines and sewing supplies to youth who qualify. For more information on Backstitch or the classes he offers at Pins and Needles, contact Taylor at pinsandneedlespensacola@gmail.com or visit his website at https://www.pinsandneedlespensacola.com.
32 | FEBRUARY 2023
Pensacola Museum of Art Now through February 26, the Pensacola Museum of Art is offering young artists the opportunity to showcase their artwork at the 69th Annual Youth Art Focus exhibition, which showcases artwork from across the Escambia County School District. Since 1954, Youth Art Focus has given students exposure to the world of fine art in a professional museum environment while also providing a way for our community to engage with and appreciate Escambia County’s art education programs, said Caitlin Rhea, Curator of Education and Public Programs. As part of the exhibit, students in Escambia County tour the museum for free as a part of this partnership between the museum, the PMA Guild and Escambia County Schools. The museum also offers after-school art classes for a variety of age groups as well as a homeschool program and an Art Academy for Autism that is free of charge and focuses on nurturing artistic development and abstract thinking skills within a group environment. Providing access to numerous age groups and children/youth from different backgrounds and abilities is something the museum strives for, said Rhea. “We always try to expand as much as we can access to fine art, but also affordable access to the arts,” she said. “That can be a barrier for people in our community so that’s why we started a scholarship program.” In fact, over half the students that are enrolled this semester in after-school programs were provided a scholarship. Providing access to creating and crafting visual art is integral to children’s development, Rhea said. “It’s integral to their development as well-rounded humans, not just the cultural aspect of being exposed to different cultures and times periods, but also the basic development of learning to hone your creative thinking skills, your dexterity, your motor skills,” she said.