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MISSION
The Roberta Wells Conservatory seeks to make art tangible, accessible, virtuous and exciting for young people in disadvantaged circumstances; so that art for them is a means to develop, heighten and expand their: cultural awareness, play, work and knowledge of the world. So that young people desire to make art, view art, use art and support art for their lives, meeting standards of excellence and yet not conforming to ideas that do not support their dreams and vision. Not just for Art, for Life.
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For eight years the Conservatory has provided youth, adult and senior programming in dance, theatre, creative writing, acrobatics and cheerleading throughout Queens, New York. Since its inception the Conservatory has partnered with like-minded service agencies (beacons, community centers and churches) and utilized their facilities for administrative support and programming. The Conservatory has a successful record of training young people for success in the arts, education and athletic worlds. In classes students gain a solid introductory to intermediate foundation, while learning performance, self-help and team building skills. Students have been accepted into competitive programs at Laguardia Arts, Row New York, Alvin Ailey American Dance School, Ballet Hispanico, Fashion Institute of Technology, Dance Theatre of Harlem and Marymount Manhattan College. Additionally the Conservatory has produced seven original plays (How Deep Is The Ocean?, Touch the Sky, A Righteous Spring, Yes Indeed!, HUSH-UP!, Do Right, What Child Is This?) that have run at Queens Theatre in the Park and smaller indoor and outdoor stages. These plays seek to celebrate diversity and are topical with stories about young people coming to age. The Conservatory is funded in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Addtionally the Roberta Wells Conservatory strives to offer free arts discipline training and physical education for children and young adults in challenging physical, social and economic circumstances and to write and produce original plays and performances for a diverse urban community. At the Conservatory the artistic, intellectual and physical potential of the child is developed through classes, original plays and performances in authentic theatre venues, field trips to arts events, community volunteerism and mentorship with professionals. The Conservatory creed Not Just For Art, For Life is the steadfast belief that a young person can be changed and challenged by the arts to pursue excellence in learning, work, family and community.
Not Just for Art, For Life-Non Solum Ars, Sed Pro Vitae
The Conservatory strives to maintain long-term relationships with students and their families and use the refining quality of art to promote education, social development and good health. Programs and classes are used as tools to instill discipline, self-respect, creativity, individuality. Through mentorship, maintaining a policy of professional artistic standards and giving students performance, technical and work-study opportunities the Conservatory hopes to lead students to professional performing arts high schools, internships, job placements, scholarships, company work, and college residency.
The Conservatory is committed to being a part of the village that raises a child
with programming that is disciplined and culturally and ethnically diverse.
We believe that children who study and create with people of different ethnicity, culture, race, age and disability will learn to be responsible and tolerant citizens and leaders. Children who are involved in ongoing volunteer and community outreach projects will be able to grow and succeed in diverse environments concerned with issues of human rights, and artistic expression. Students are shown by example that there is freedom in thinking creatively, speaking well, being knowledgeable, moving with physical grace and self confidence and being comfortable around people who are different than themselves.
The Roberta Wells Conservatory’s aspires to
nurture and help create civic minded independent adults,
critical thinkers, artists and art lovers that will
leave the Conservatory ready to shape
and serve the world.
Queens Community Agenda
The Conservatory seeks to serve as a constructive presence in the Queens community by:
Offering after-school, evening and Saturday programming for Queens youth.
Providing quality free and affordable arts, movement and educational classes to those of limited financial means.
Nurturing and advancing the artistic, intellectual and human growth of local children, young people and their families through classes and programs.
Committing to having a staff, guest teacher and student population that is reflective of the racial, ethnic and national diversity of the Queens community.
Recognizing and developing local talent and individual potential.
Developing confident, caring adults concerned about their communities through their participation as children in community service performances and projects.
Collaborating with local organizations and artists.
Using affordable indoor performances and free local outdoor spring and summer performances, as ways to reach members of the community that may not normally see an art performance.
Offering it’s future facilities to other non-profits, schools and community groups for affordable and free community programming and events.
