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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tia Powell Harris, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement at New York City Center
4:10:55
ยท
3 min
Tia Powell Harris, Vice President of Education and Community Engagement at New York City Center, testified about their arts education programs for New York City Public School students. She highlighted the organization's commitment to accessible, high-quality arts education through various in-school and theater-based programs, reaching thousands of students across the five boroughs.
- New York City Center engaged nearly 7,000 students and educators across 50 schools in the 2023-24 school year, with plans to reach 10,000 in the current year.
- The organization offers deeply subsidized tickets and additional discounts for schools in their residency programs to ensure accessibility.
- Powell Harris emphasized the impact of their programs, including how the production of Ragtime sparked critical conversations among students about historical and social issues.
Tia Powell Harris
4:10:55
My name is Tia Powell Harris and I serve as vice president of education and community engagement at New York City Center.
4:11:03
It is an honor to testify today about the work we do to bring high quality, accessible arts education to New York City Public School Students.
4:11:12
City Center, a CIG, was founded in 1943 by mayor Fiorello LaGuardia as the people's theater.
4:11:22
And our commitment to that founding vision continues today.
4:11:26
Alongside our on stage dance and musical theater productions, our education and community engagement programming, ing.
4:11:34
These offerings are designed to meet students where they are, in classrooms, in our theater, and in community centers throughout the five boroughs.
4:11:44
In the twenty twenty three, twenty four school year, our arts education work engaged nearly 7,000 students and educators across 50 schools, and we are on track this year to serve nearly 10,000.
4:11:58
These programs include a wide variety of in school workshops and semester long residencies in both dance and musical theater.
4:12:07
Importantly, our work does not end in the classroom.
4:12:11
Each participating student is invited to attend a live performance on our main stage through our Lynn and Richard Pasquilano student matinee series.
4:12:21
These matinees paired with custom study guides and professional development opportunities for educators are a cornerstone of our approach, helping students connect what they learn in school to the world class artistry they see on stage.
4:12:39
Our production of Ragtime had a particularly profound impact on our students and teachers.
4:12:46
As one teacher shared, opportunities like these show students what is possible in theater and reinforce that shows are for them too.
4:12:57
The production's historical themes also sparked meaningful dialogue After act one ended with the death of an unarmed black woman, one student asked her teacher, why did they kill Sarah when she wasn't gonna hurt anybody?
4:13:14
Opening the door to critical conversations that extended well beyond the stage.
4:13:20
Accessibility is a core value.
4:13:23
At City Center, we offer deeply subsidized tickets to ensure our performances are within reach for all schools with additional discounts for those in our residency programs.
4:13:34
I wanna thank the city council for your leadership and your investment in arts and culture across five boroughs.
4:13:40
As you continue to examine the equitable accessibility of arts education, I urge you to consider the impact of programs like ours and the opportunity that lies in expanding them to reach even more New York City Students.
4:13:57
Thank you for this opportunity to testify.