Published on January 10, 2022 | Staten Island Advance | Written by Carol Ann Benanti
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Sundog Theatre has extended its arts education reach beyond Staten Island, all the way to Chicago. The arts provider was recently approved as a Qualified Arts Partner to deliver virtual programming to the entire Chicago Public School (CPS) district, reports Susan Fenley, executive director of Sundog.
Sundog will offer online residencies for kindergarten through grade 12 students in theatre, dance, music, and visual arts, as well as programs in arts integrated subject areas such as literacy, STEAM, (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and social studies.
In addition, the Sundog educational team will make its professional, educational theatre performances available to the students of the “Windy City.” Reaching more than 340,000 students, Chicago is the nation’s third largest school system, after New York City and Los Angeles.
“We are thrilled to increase our arts programming reach to young people in a major city like Chicago,” notes Fenley. “The CPS school system has a robust appreciation for the arts. That is apparent through their Department of Arts Education, funding opportunities, creative initiatives, arts career planning for students, and arts integration in classrooms. Education through the arts is a highly effective way to help make learning come alive and last far beyond the classroom.”
Sundog answered a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Arts Education Services, which Fenley found through the NYC Department of Education. The vetting process was extensive, taking over a year, and began in August 2021.
Sundog Theatre has been providing arts education through theatre, dance, visual arts in New York City schools for over 15 years. Last year, the company provided over 80 programs in more than 40 schools and organizations. The company also offers educational and social issue theatrical touring productions to the NY/NJ/CT/MD area, acting classes for young people, and local theatrical productions. To connect with Sundog, phone 718 816-5453 or visit the website at SundogTheatre.org.
