Atlanta Public Library announces Third Annual Arts Discovery Camp

[May 29, 2015]  ATLANTA - The Atlanta Public Library will kick off its exciting summer programming on June 8 with the third annual Arts Discovery Camp. Running from 9 a.m. to noon five days a week, the Arts Discovery Camp will offer participants an immersion experience in music, theater and visual arts. The camp is open to children who have finished 1st through 5th grade. The registration deadline is May 31.

During Theatre Week, which runs from June 8-12, children will work with Illinois Wesleyan theatre artist Jean Kerr and other teaching artists to adapt original stories into scripts and songs; make props and costumes; explore basics of stage movement, dialogue and vocal projection; and create an adapted script for performance. There will be a public performance on Friday.

Music Week runs from July 6 – 10 and will be led by music education specialist Andrew Roistein from the Juilliard School in New York and Peoria guitarist/song-writer Brian Davis. No musical training is required for participation. Students will learn basics of rhythm, sound dynamics, and other musical concepts; participate in vocal and instrumental improvisation exercises; compose original music on found and built instruments; and write their own songs. On Friday, they will perform their compositions in a public concert.

Registration is required for the Arts Discovery Camp, and registrations must be completed by May 31, 2014. The fee for participation is $25 per week for the first child in a family and $15 for each additional child.

Last year’s camp sold out quickly, and it is important to register as soon as possible in order to reserve a space. Contact the Library (217-648-2112) or send an email to apldinformation @gmail.com to request a registration form.

The Arts Discovery Camp is sponsored by the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.

[Catherine Maciariello, Atlanta Public Library]