The Community Folk Art Center (CFAC) has announced the launch of its new pre-
professional intensive youth arts training program, the Creative Arts Academy (CAA).
The goal of the Creative Arts Academy is to engage, nurture and empower young
people from the City of Syracuse through the arts and prepare students for advanced
study in the visual and expressive arts.
The CAA was formerly called the Kuumba Project. It was established in 2007 by the
collective vision of the Linda Littlejohn and Margie Gantt of the South Side Initiative at
Syracuse University and Carol Charles of the CFAC. Littlejohn and Gantt developed,
implemented and managed the program. All CAA programs and direction are now
under the sole management of the Community Folk Art Center.
"We believe that the arts provide a sound foundation for young people resulting in an
improved sense of self, fortifying them to perform better in school and unearth their
infinite potential," says CFAC Executive Director Kheli Willetts.
Young people will earn admission to the program through the audition process. For
registration guidelines and to schedule an audition, contact CFAC at 442-2230 or
cfac@syr.edu. Auditions and portfolio reviews will take place at CFAC July 11 from 10
a.m.-2 p.m. and July 12 from 1-4 p.m. CAA auditions will also be held Aug. 1 from 10
a.m. -2 p.m. and Aug. 2 from 1-4 p.m.
Artistic disciplines include dance, theater, music, creative writing and visual arts,
including drawing, painting, ceramics and mixed media. CAA will admit students with
various levels of experience and expertise who have raw potential and a demonstrated
commitment to the arts. Although the program is open to all residents of the City of
Syracuse, CFAC is especially committed to those who live in underserved and
underrepresented communities.
It is critical that the pre-professional arts education experience engages body and mind.
Focused concentration on an individual arts medium will be coupled with a course of
study that involves learning the history of each discipline and, in particular, the impact
African diasporan artists have made within the field. The goal is to provide a well-
rounded arts education experience so that students are prepared to continue their
studies beyond high school. In addition, the academy will collaborate with area artists,
schools and organizations to provide enriching experiences in visual and expressive
arts.
Once students are admitted to the academy, they will remain with the program until
graduation.
CAA instructors are professional artists who understand the value of learning about
their discipline in addition to performing it. Instruction is designed to immerse
students in their field of study, as well as create the space for individual talents to
emerge.
For more information about the Creative Arts Academy or to inquire about other CFAC
youth programming, call 442-2230 or e-mail cfac@syr.edu.
