SITE Program

            The SITE Arts Program established by the Nowodworski Foundation stands for “Social Improvement Through Expression” and focuses on the development of children’s minds through the arts.

            We believe every child has a well of natural talent and that it is our responsibility as parents and educators to develop and encourage each child.  With the guidance of our experienced art and music instructors, our goal is to cultivate a variety of skills and intelligences in our students. 

            Instructors are selected by the Nowodworski Foundation by meeting and demonstrating the following criteria:

• Leadership in their respective  field
• Active participation in performances or exhibitions
• Commitment to the teaching standards and vision put forth by the Nowodworski Foundation

History:

The Nowodworski Foundation Charity for Cultural and Educational Exchange, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization, established and incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1999. The Foundation was called to life by Alumni of the Nowodworski High School, established in 1588 in Royal Town of Krakow, Poland, by Maltese Knight Bartlomiej Nowodworski. This school operates today as one of the oldest in Europe. 

Philosophy:

            To this day, the Latin proverb “Semper In Altum” is chiseled in the stone above the entrance to the Nowodworski High School.  Our international foundation bridges two cultures and is united in this pursuit of excellence at each of our SITE locations.

The SITE Arts Program focuses on:

• Developing artistic skills and talent in children of all ages
• Improving concentration skills through music and art
• Providing creative outlets
• Boosting self esteem and improving social interaction in group settings
• Fostering parent-child quality of time vs. quantity
• Building  fine art audiences through community involvement
• Promoting cross-cultural understanding and integration

Curriculum:

The SITE Program provides visual art workshops and music classes throughout the school year and summer.  SITE locations are conveniently located throughout New York State and Connecticut. 

Students’ artwork and music talents are presented to cheering families, friends, and outside community during two Art Exhibits and Recitals at each SITE:  One at the midterm mark around the winter holiday season, another at the end of the school year.  Each SITE also offers shorter specialized seasons and classes throughout the year.

During the summer, students can take advantage of the International Summer Art Camp, part of the International Students Exchange Program, upon invitation from the sister Nowodworski Foundation in Poland.

SITE in Visual Art

“You Picasso”

            At “You Picasso” art workshops, children will develop abilities to express their own life experiences.

In a series of methodological exercises, students will learn to:

• Work with a variety of media and material
• Explore form and textures
• Analyze shape

Our program covers six basic art areas: painting, clay, collage, printmaking and construction.

      In painting children will explore art elements like line, texture, color, shape, value and composition.

      In clay exploration hands are the only tool. Children can poke, pinch, pound, squeeze, roll and stretch changing the form and texture of the clay in a matter of seconds. They love to touch the clay, to experience its sensuality.

      In collage children choose and arrange shapes cut from fabrics, paper and different textured materials putting them where they like and gluing them down. Kids will explore the textures of sand paper, wood, leather, velvet, lace, yarn, felt and so many different materials. They will feel the softness and bumpiness of various textures. The sense of touch will be very important here.

      Printmaking –  what a great possibility to repeat. We employ various materials in platemaking like styrofoam or sturdy cardboard for collographs.

      In Construction we teach children how to use the materials. What to do with them is their creation – they will invent their own ideas.

The aim of our visual art instructors is to help each child cultivate his or her talent while working in a fun group environment.

SITE in Music

The music program combines several techniques and methods with the goals of:

• Providing youth with a constructive and exciting after school outlet
• Strengthening the participation of parents in their children’s expression and activities
• Using music as a medium to raise self-esteem, increase positive attitude, and create social interactions

Our instructors believe that all children have talent, but each deserves guidance, encouragement, and opportunity to expound upon natural ability.  Although each location has slightly different curriculum, the music instructors draw upon the following methods in their classrooms:

• Suzuki Method (http://suzukiassociation.org/parents/twinkler/)
• Alexander Technique (http://www.alexandercenter.com/pa/strings.html)
• Orff Method (http://www.sw.riverview.wednet.edu/music/Essays%20on%20the%20web/carl_orff_the_music_educator.htm)

Our students participate in a variety of performances, with and without the art program, at the various SITE locations.  Our instructors understand that performing is a key element in learning commitment and completion of projects as well as building self confidence.

Music SITE offers instruction in:

Violin

Voice

Keyboard

Early Childhood Recorder

Theory

Bass Guitar

SITE in Inventive Thinking

      Practice 21^st century innovation skills in the Brain SITE! The first series of classes presents Inventive Thinking, taught by Dr. Christine Casey, Director of Educational Initiatives for By Kids For Kids.

      These classes will take kids age 8-10 through the inventive thinking process from idea to creation.  Kids will use the resources from the bkfk.com website as well as the BKFK national award winning Inventive Thinking Toolkit, based on the US Patent Office’s – Project XL.

      All spheres of intelligence will be tapped in this opportunity to work with a congressionally recognized leader in the field of inventive thinking and creativity.

            Participants will begin by bringing in recycled materials to the session to convert Trash into Treasure Inventions!

SITE Locations:

Stamford, CT

New York City, NY

Port Chester, NY

Mahopac, NY

New Location in Somers, NY opens March ’08!

Check back soon for Open House information and class schedules!

Please link to the sites below for more information on The Nowodworski Foundation as well as the importance of fine art education in child development:

Nowodworski Foundation Wikipedia Entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowodworski_Foundation

The Publication of the Neurosciences Institute –

Aniruddh Patel:  A Resonant Note

www.nsi.edu/uploads/newsletters/nsi101005.pdf

University of Toronto at Mississauga, Psychological Science

Music Lessons Enhance IQ by E. Glenn Schellenberg

www.psychologicalscience.org/pdf/ps/musiciq.pdf

Science Daily Aug, 20, 2004

“New Research Provides the First Solid Evidence that the Study of Music Promotes Intellectual Development”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/08/040820082332.htm

Children’s Music Advocacy

http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/advocacy/factsandstatistics.html

>>>PICTURES