Outreach Activities
As part of our mission to reach all members of the community, the Potomac Arts Academy coordinates a number of effective and artistic outreach programs!
Along with providing outstanding performing and visual arts classes and programs for the general public, the Potomac Arts Academy of George Mason University also strives to bring inspiring artistic opportunites to members of the community who might not otherwise be able to enjoy such options. Concurrently, this provides an excellent platform for qualified Mason arts students who get involved to gain valuable applied learning experiences.
Current Potomac outreach programs:
Saturday School for the Arts @ Hunters Woods
The Saturday School for the Arts program brings Mason faculty and student teachers to a select group of children from Hunters Woods elementary, providing free arts classes in music, dance, theater, and visual art.
Instruments in the Attic
The Instruments in the Attic program receives musical instrument donations from generous community members and "recycles" them for use by Mason School of Music students in need and/or incorporates them into Potomac community programs.
AFYP After School Programs
Potomac's Theater division, Acting For Young People, has established in-school theater training programs with several local schools.
IIA Teaching Scholars
Through Instruments in the Attic, the Teaching Scholars program connects qualified Mason School of Music students with children from several local elementary schools and provides instruments for children to learn with.
IIA Musical Ambassadors
Through Instruments in the Attic, the Musical Ambassadors program connects qualified Mason School of Music students with select community organizations for an enhanced musical experience, including audience participation.
Care to Share?
Saturday School for the Arts @ Hunters Woods
In 2009, the Potomac Arts Academy started an exciting collaboration with the Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences. The Saturday School for the Arts program brings Mason faculty and student teachers to a select group of children from Hunters Woods elementary, providing free arts classes in music, dance, theater, and visual art. These classes are held at the Southgate Community Center, or at the Mason Fairfax campus, and are taught by specially selected student volunteers from each of the arts disciplines, as well as volunteer faculty from each discipline who help to guide the programming. This program is an excellent opportunity both for the children of Hunters Woods, as well as for the George Mason arts students, who gain valuable experience while working with these deserving children.
See art through the eyes of these kids!