Stomping Ground is an overnight camp in the gateway to the Adirondacks in Saratoga Springs, New York. We are building radically empathetic communities through humble curiosity, personal responsibility, restorative practices, and unbounded creativity. In the off season, we offer more focused programming around community building, conflict resolution training through circles, and practices focused in empathy and inclusion. Our mission is to partner with young people to inspire the next generation of radically empathetic decision makers. Together we re-imagine a more perfect world.

As a nonprofit educational institution the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to helping every fan learn more about the game, its rich history and its impact on our culture. Museum programs that provide K-12 students and teachers interactive and meaningful learning experiences that align with national learning standards in Cooperstown, online and in their communities; and a robust lineup of virtual programs for diverse audiences. The Museum currently offers 15 baseball-themed curriculum components that provide interactive and meaningful learning engagement. The curriculum features all of the major subject areas, including Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Social Studies, Character Education, the Arts and Humanities. The lesson plans can be delivered by our museum teachers in Cooperstown or virtually into the classroom. They may also be downloaded and utilized in the classroom at no cost.

Broadway Utica has a uniquely designed program called UticaWorx. This is an inclusive performing arts program established in 2023, created to welcome participants of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Offering everything from summer camps to specialized workshops led by professional actors, choreographers, vocalists, and motivational speakers, the program provides immersive, skill-building experiences that nurture passion and creativity. With a faculty of experienced industry professionals and a rich curriculum, UticaWorx inspires participants to grow, whether they’re pursuing a future in the arts or simply exploring a creative outlet.

Theatre for Young Audiences at the Historic Cohoes Music Hall Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Cohoes Music Hall, the 4th oldest operating music hall in the U.S., with our annual Theatre for Young Audiences productions! Hosted at this iconic venue, these lively, educational musicals bring beloved characters to life, blending classroom lessons, catchy tunes, and plenty of laughs for audiences of all ages. Introducing students to theatre arts fosters creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving while connecting classroom learning to the stage. Our shows offer students the opportunity to experience the thrill of live theatre, learn proper theatre etiquette, and engage in post-show discussions that enhance camaraderie and conversation in the classroom. Educators will also receive a curriculum-based activity packet before the performance, designed to explore the creative process and core themes of the production.

Taikoza is a Japanese Taiko drum group that uses the powerful rhythms of the Taiko drums to create an electrifying energy that carries audiences in a new dimension of excitement. The Taiko is a large, barrel-like drum that can fill the air with rolling thunder. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of traditional instruments. In addition, the Taiko Taikoza incorporates bamboo flutes. Taikoza has performed in Europe and Asia. Taikoza appeared on the History Channel and “The Last Samurai “DVD set. Taikoza presents a unique and exciting program using Japanese Taiko drums (weighing 200lb drums) and bamboo flutes. The program will take you on an unforgettable journey through Japan. It will take students to different areas and through the seasons of Japan. Students will be experiencing a new culture in a fun and exciting way, they will get a chance to see and at times touch the ancestral drums. The taiko drum can touch everyone with its thunderous sounds and vibrations. Taikoza hopes to open the student’s eyes to the richness of Japanese culture and spark an interest. We hope that this will spark an interest in other world cultures. Taiko has been associated with many aspects of Japanese culture since ancient times. It is said that Taiko was used to drive away the plague and evil spirits. In the Shinto religion, it was used to call upon and entertain the gods, or kami, and in Japanese Buddhism, its sound was the manifestation of the voice of the Buddha. Taikoza’s programs can be tailored to your school’s needs and interests. In a performance by Taikoza your students may experience: They will hear and see taiko songs. Taiko is often compared to martial arts, as the drums are played very physically using sticks that resemble baseball bats. They will hear songs played on the bamboo flutes. Some will get to play on the drums and interact with the performers.

Created to serve school districts, college, libraries, and theaters across Upstate New York, CNY Jazz Management is dedicated to the educational mission of the CNY Jazz Arts Foundation, the region’s primary provider of jazz programming in concert, cabaret, scholastic and festival settings in schools and in public. Our core cultural history shows are available separately or in a group: All That Jazz, a whirlwind history of jazz; Blues Shout, a history of male blues and jazz singers of the 20th Century; Music & Musket, exploring the role of the musician in the Civil War; and Jazz On Demand, unlocking the secrets of songwriting and listening creatively! All programs are narrated and include a vocabulary/teacher’s guide. We also offer full-day or multi-day residencies by all of our large ensembles, with or without national guest soloist/teaching artists, co-designed with you to fit your program needs – clinics, jams, and grand concerts. you may preview all of our shows and watch an overview of our entire arts-in-education service at the video link on our web site. Contact us for more information about presenting any of our offerings in your school!

Our mission at BIG INK is to encourage appreciation for woodblock printmaking: one impression at a time. In 2012, Lyell Catongguay founded BIG INK to provide woodblock printmaking workshop opportunities for people of all skill levels. As a result, thousands of individuals have learned how to carve wood by following Castonguay’s online master class, and numerous community members have attended BIG INK’s workshops to witness the spectacle of large-scale woodblock printing. With its community-driven and public art education model, BIG INK is committed to ensuring a promising future for printmaking. Hire BIG INK for a workshop at your school. We’ll travel to your location and set up The Big Tuna, our custom-designed giant mobile printing press. Does your group have limited woodblock carving experience? That is okay. We’ll be your guide!

Art Travelers through Time: Literacy and History through Art - Provides third grade students and teachers the opportunity to connect their classroom study of "Communities Around the World" to authentic cultural artifacts from the museum's large and diverse collection. Artifacts represent cultures in Africa, Asia, Melanesia, Central and South America. Artifacts Alive! Students in grades 3-5 engage with authentic artifacts from around the world and are immersed in deep exploration of communities and culture. Artifacts represent cultures in Africa, Asia, Melanesia, Central and South America. Exhibition Based Field Trips - for students in PK-12. Students engage in close-looking at art from our rotating exhibitions using an inquiry-based approach. These sessions can be thematic, focused on fine arts/technique or both! Professional Development (In Person and Virtual) - for PK-12 educators. Sessions include hands-on approaches to supporting NY State Standards using art and artifacts. Each session is tailored to meet the needs of faculty and staff - and most appropriate for Arts Educators, ELA, Social Studies.

A leading motivational speaker and author, I share stories and insights that have enabled me to triumph over cerebral palsy and hearing loss, framing the program around the importance of love, family, and forgiveness in our lives. Though I was in a wheelchair for four years, and can now walk pretty well, the journey has not been easy. Though physically bullied in school and rather than respond in anger, I chose to forgive and help the bullies! A positive attitude can help us celebrate our unique gifts while kindness and respect can help those gifts be revealed. Each program culminates in a powerful documentary video to demonstrate, by example, that we should always focus on our abilities. As a former special needs kid, I describe how optimism and confidence allows us to share an important life philosophy using three simple words: Yes I Can! Which is precisely the title of my published book, helping teen readers and parents overcome self-doubt when faced with tremendous challenges. DETAILS FOR GRADE SCHOOLS: Shorter 35-minute presentation for grades K-2 (focused on disability awareness, character education, kindness and respect, and the qualities of a superhero) followed by a longer 60-minute presentation for grades 3-5 (focused on anti-bullying, leadership, and resilience). Two assemblies maximum per day, preferably before lunch. To help with drive time and share travel expenses from my New Jersey home, I suggest programs at multiple schools on consecutive days. Please email me to establish initial contact, due to my hearing loss, or leave voicemail on my landline. Also open to an introductory Zoom meeting for a "meet-and-greet" and to answer your questions. ONLINE SPEAKER RESUME: www.JustTheWayYouAre.com/resume

The Magic of Reading with Brian Richards is designed to tickle the imagination, highlight the fun of reading, and encourage children to explore the library. This elementary reading school assembly will inspire your students to open a book and start reading! Featuring magic, comedy, audience participation, storytelling, and educational fun, The Magic of Reading assembly show is a hit with students, teachers, and staff! Librarians, Teachers, PTA Presidents, Principals, Students, and Parents have and continue to give amazing reviews for this program. This elementary reading school assembly show promotes reading and the importance of visiting the library, utilizing Magic, Comedy, Storytelling, and Audience participation. The Magic of Reading will touch on reading genres and the types of books found in the library, including Fantasy, Adventure, Mysteries, Science Fiction, Horror, Non-Fiction, and more. The show features the books “The Empty Pot” and “Abiyoyo.”

We offer engaging author visits to schools and organizations, either virtually or in person with our author(s) and book character(s). Each 45-minute assembly is designed for students in Pre-K through 4th grade and includes a read-aloud from a book of your choice, interactive storytelling with music, games, and lively discussion. Students will also have access to discounted pricing on books. These read-aloud sessions aren’t just entertaining—they’re educational. They help motivate children to read, strengthen their comprehension, expand vocabulary, and introduce language patterns not typically heard in everyday conversation. Students are encouraged to make meaningful connections between the stories and their own lives, making reading both fun and relevant.

In Matt's programs he talks about the process of writing and illustrating picture books. Each talk focuses on one of his books and includes an interactive reading of the book, sharing background stories and talking a little bit about what authors and illustrators do, and an interactive demonstration of creating the illustrations. Matt will do either 3 auditorium sized or 4 library sized (smaller group) presentations per day. Four library presentations is highly preferred so Matt can better interact with students. Matt can also do an additional smaller group Q&A talk with select students (usually older kids who are interested in writing or drawing), such as a meeting over lunch or an "afternoon tea." Matt has a variety of educational and entertaining presentations suitable for students K through 6th grade, as well as presentations for parent's nights or literacy nights for an additional fee.