The Anacostia Museum Academy’s End of Year Performance

Designed to enhance reading, research skills, creative ability, and social and intellectual development, the Anacostia Community Museum Academy is a cultural arts enrichment program for youth ages seven to eleven in collaboration with schools in the southeast neighborhoods of Washington, DC. Our current partner is A. Kiger Savoy Elementary School. Using the expertise of Anacostia Community Museum and Smithsonian Institution educators, historians, curators, and researchers, as well as the talents of local artists, illustrators, and writers, the program incorporates classroom-based studies with field trips and experiential learning activities.

The Museum Academy gathered for a year-end program in which the students performed and recited works that were inspired but what they had learned throughout the school year.  Cake was served as well (see below).

 

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Mixed media inspired by the Anacostia River is one example of the rich arts program which distinguishes the Savoy School from its contemporaries. Photo by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum
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The students made a quilt using the Anacostia Community Museum has the central figure. Photo by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum
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Personal writing was recited. Photo by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum
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The students enjoyed sharing their work with the audience. Photo by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum
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Artwork the Museum Academy students made was exhibited at Savoy and made into a calendar for the Anacostia Community Museum. (You can still get yours). Photo by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum
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Intern Marianna travelled from Egypt to work with the Museum Academy . Here she speaks with Education Specialist Linda Maxwell after the event at the Savoy School. Photo by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum
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Mixed media inspired by the Anacostia River is one example of the rich arts program which distinguishes the Savoy School from its contemporaries. Photo by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum
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Dance, music, and art, as well as hard sciences are foregrounded at the Anacostia Community Museum Academy. Photograph by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum
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A student recites verse that she wrote summarizing her year at the Museum Academy. Photo by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum


With an additional focus on building and strengthening children’s self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, cognitive development, and critical thinking, the Museum Academy helps children to advance in personal and academic growth. The program introduces children to cultural resources and institutions in and beyond Washington, DC, as a means to open a world of possibilities and opportunities for the children to learn, discover, explore, and express themselves. The Museum Academy Program is sponsored in part by the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation.

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The joy and friendship that this group of cohorts develop over their time together is palpable in this year-end program. Photo by Susana Raab/Anacostia Community Museum

 

 

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