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The power of the arts on character development, especially in children, is at the core of the YMCA's commitment to its art and culture programs.
Because promoting the well-being of kids and adults is at the cornerstone of every Y program, the Schuylkill YMCA knows that encouraging well-rounded youngsters means a generation of well-rounded, competent adults. In fact, recent studies have shown that children exposed to drama, music, and dance may do a better job at mastering academics.
That fact is one reason why arts and humanities have established themselves as a YMCA core program, growing by 39 percent in the last five years. Considering the Y's long, successful history of quality childcare, it is especially well-positioned to lead arts programming for kids.
So whether it's learning to make a jump shot or sketching figures in charcoal, mastering the skills of roller blading or a regular book group for seniors, the Schuylkill YMCA has it all.
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While YMCAs are traditionally known for their recreational activities, their history with the arts goes back to the early days, starting with reading rooms in the 1850's, theater in Harlem in the 1950's, and English as a Second Language classes in the 1960's. In fact, artists such as Walt Whitman, Billy Wilder, and Sidney Poitier all honed their skills at a Y.
The current relationship between the arts and the Y started in the late '70s on the West side of New York where nationally-known poet Jason Shinder founded a literary arts center that inspired not only the largest network of literary art centers in the country, but the idea that arts and humanities belong at the Y.
Today, there are more than 750 YMCA's providing arts programming. Collectively, the Y is expected to become the largest, most influential arts provider in the country for both kids and adults.
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