The $23,000 award, which supports six hands-on visual and performing arts endeavors for attendees from ages four to 18, represents a 9% increase since last year. “Art Soup” features workshops on creating art gardens and mixed-media masks to live storytelling sessions from Rutgers–Camden alumni and presentations by practicing New Jersey artists. Programs will take place June through August on the Rutgers–Camden campus, with some outings planned to area parks for gardening workshop.
According to Noreen Scott Garrity, associate director and curator of education for the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts, “Art Soup,” now in its 16th year, pioneered the campus’ community arts efforts.
“Campbell’s funding got us rolling in the community arts direction,” notes Garrity. “As time passed other funding was needed to sustain all that we do today, but it helped get us started and continues to connect so many Camden kids with opportunities and inspiration through art.”
Earlier “Art Soup” projects include a travelling quilt display, an art installation at the Rand Transportation Center, and a gallery exhibit of children’s photographs, which was reviewed by The New York Times.
“Art Soup” is comprised of Gallery Adventures, featuring workshops and exhibits in the Stedman Gallery; Studio Workshops, where children utilize a fine arts studio to create original visual art; Stage Adventures that offers various performances for ages five and up, as well as the public; Camden Art Gardens, which beautifies sites throughout the city through hands-on gardening and artistic installations; and the High School Internship Program, which readies teens for the workplace through on-the-job experiences.
The public stage performance schedule will be announced later this month.
The Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts seeks to provide performances, exhibitions, education programs, and community projects, that inspire a full appreciation and enjoyment of the arts, create meaningful opportunities to participate in the arts, advance the central role of the arts in preK-12 education, and increase awareness of the arts as essential to cultural, economic, and community vitality.
For additional information about “Art Soup,” contact Noreen Scott Garrity at (856) 225-6306.
Media Contact: Cathy K. Donovan
(856) 225-6627
E-mail: catkarm@camden.rutgers.edu