The Kids + Families Page

General ArtsVan Sponsors

	Toppenish Parks & Recreation

Lodging Sponsor

Upcoming Events

Where the Wild Things Are/Randall Park
July 30, 2010

Curious George/Gilbert Park
August 01, 2010

The Karate Kid/Sarg Hubbard Park
August 07, 2010

Twilight: New Moon/Gilbert Park
August 08, 2010

Cloudy w/ Chance of Meatballs/Randall Park
August 13, 2010

Muppets Take Manhattan/Gilbert Park
August 15, 2010

Click above for a complete 'Rediscover Summer' schedule!

What is ArtsVan?

The Allied Arts Summer ArtsVan Project is a FREE, DROP IN PROGRAM which provides Yakima Valley children an opportunity to explore the possibilities of the arts and discover their creative side.  ArtsVan and its talented staff of artists have been providing a focused arts program for children since 1985. Children will discover uses for materials found at  home so that they may repeat and expand on the lessons learned and add their own style. Daytime ArtsVan is designed for children ages 5 to 12 and Family Nights are designed for children ages 2-12 with their grown-ups. Summer ArtsVan is sponsored by Yakima Southwest Rotary and Yakima Parks & Recreation.

2010 Summer ArtsVan Schedule
Daytime ArtsVan: June 14-July 30
ArtsVan Family Nights: July 7-August 12

Mondays
Franklin Park, 10am-12pm
Miller Park, 1-3pm

Tuesdays
Randall Park, 10am-12pm
SE Community Center, 1-3pm

Wednesdays
Kissel Park, 10am-12pm
West Valley Park, 1-3pm
Family Night: July 7-August 12, Tieton Park, 6:30-8:30pm

Thursdays
Chesterly Park, 10am-12pm
Milroy Park, 1-3pm
Family Night: July 7-August 12, Franklin Park, 6:30-8:30pm

Fridays
Zillah: Loges Park 10am-12pm
Wapato: Wapato Library 1-3pm

ArtsVan for Hire

ArtsVan is an educational vehicle (a literal & figurative one) that encourages creativity among Yakima Valley youth. ArtsVan, with its enthusiastic and caring art instructors, is available to visit your organization, school, or group today! ArtsVan was created in 1985 with money from a federal block grant, and has been recognized by the Kennedy Center as an innovative and integral program that creates access to the arts for all children and families. 

The ArtFusion Art Integration Mentors (AIM) program, in collaboration with Allied Arts of
Yakima, Gallery One (Ellensburg), and ESD 105, will provide regional classroom teachers with
a new kind of art integration experience. AIM will engage classroom teachers in the arts by
providing hands-on art experiences that teach them basic art elements and principles.
Teachers will team up with a regional art mentor who will assist the teacher in implementing an
integrated art lesson to their students. Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of the basic
art elements, which will allow them to instruct students on those skills through integrated arts
instruction.

Goal
Recognizing that students learn best when instruction is provided in a variety of ways,
classroom teachers will receive training in the basic elements of art, art integration strategies
and arts assessments in order to provide students with authentic integrated arts experiences
that support their existing curriculum.

Missoula Children's Theatre at Allied Arts

Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) is one of our favorite programs here at Allied Arts. It encourages participation at every level, from the first time actor to the audience members. It creates a welcome environment for kids ages 6-18 to try drama without the pressure of (too much) memorization or a 2 month rehearsal schedule. And, here at Allied Arts, it has been free for the students, and tickets have been priced affordably for families. Over 60 kids participate in our annual October residency, and we have 200+ audience members at two performances.

MCT’s mission is the development of lifeskills in children through participation in the performing arts. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through participation in this unique and educational project. The team of two professional tour actor/directors arrive in Yakima with scenery, costumes, props, make-up and basic lighting—everything it takes to put on a play . . . except the cast.

The board of directors and staff of Allied Arts has closely been examining operations, and to preserve both financial and human resources, we are not hosting the MCT residency in October 2010. We are planning to host a residency in Summer 2011, both to invite more participation (less interference from sports schedules) and to allow time to find a sponsor. Each residency costs $3,300 to produce.

We are looking forward to a Summer 2011 fun-filled rehearsal week and great performances (most likely in August)! If you are interested in sponsoring the Summer 2011 MCT residency, please call us at 966-0930. All gifts are welcome. Your questions and input are welcome too—just give a call, or email me at jessica@alliedartsyakima.org

—Jessica Moskwa

About Missoula Children's Theatre

Missoula Children’s Theatre was co-founded in 1970 by Jim Caron and Don Collins, who currently serve as CEO and Senior Development Officer respectively.  Jim and Executive Director, Michael McGill, supervise the intense training period for the “tour teams” and have created the eight original musicals that are currently touring with 33 teams of MCT Tour Actor/Directors—including those scheduled for 2008 and 2009 through Allied Arts. More than 65,000 young people will participate as performers in the Missoula Children’s Theatre International Tour Project in an average season. More than 1,200 communities in all 50 states, 2 Canadian territories and 4 provinces and 16 countries will be visited—communities from Anacortes, Washington to Andersen, Guam, and right here in Yakima!

There are roles for students of various ages. Approximately 50-60 local children will be cast to appear in the show with the MCT Tour Actor/Directors. There is no guarantee that  everyone who auditions will be cast in the play. Children wishing to audition should arrive by the scheduled starting time and plan to stay for the entire two-hour session. No advance preparation is necessary. The first rehearsal begins approximately 30 minutes after  auditions.

WHAT IS OUTDOOR SUMMER CINEMA?

Enjoy viewing almost-new releases and time-tested favorites in one of Yakima’s lovely city parks. Thanks to a grant from the Yakima Valley Community Fund, you’ll be watching movies on a 16 by 20 foot inflatable screen with a theater-quality sound system. Sit up-close on blankets, or further back on lawn chairs. Bring your sweetie or the whole family, and a canned good for Nortwest Harvest as admission.

Outdoor Summer Cinema is sponsored by Allied Arts of Yakima Valley and Yakima Parks and Recreation