Arts & Culture Programs Flourish

by Jill Miller Zimon

During the school year, you probably feel that when you say yes to one activity with your children, you have to say no to at least one or more others. So, when school lets out, why not lead your children into one – or more – of the art and cultural opportunities available in Northeast Ohio this summer?

Don’t let a fear of orange barrels drive you away from the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA), which is undergoing a $257 million renovation. Although the forklifts might mesmerize your kids as much as the museum displays mesmerize you, CMA’s off-site programs provide several chances for your kids to construct a liking for art before the museum’s grand re-opening in October.

Rob Bruder, CMA’s media relations coordinator for programming, events and performing arts, says that the museum renovation has created relationships with other organizations that now might make you wonder, why didn’t they do that before? The CMA@the Zoo exhibition, Animals in Art: Clay Creatures by Viktor Schreckengost is on view through Aug. 13, free with Zoo admission and located in the former bird house.

Drawing, sculpting and painting classes on Thursdays and Saturdays in Shaker Square will take place from June 22 through July 13, and June 24 through July 15. And, a Friday nights for teens only program, Portfolio Prep, runs from June 16 through July 14. CMA describes this five-week class as one that aims to help serious art students "extend their skills and knowledge through a variety of projects."

Finally, whether you’re a regular celebrant, or you’ve regularly avoided Parade the Circle, push yourself to attend this annual free community arts spectacle, scheduled for Saturday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A bounty of activities, entertainment and food brings out the best in the largest of crowds, which makes for the most fun.

The Akron Art Museum continues its $38 million renovation through this summer as well, but is still offering options for kids and families to build up and onto their own art and cultural foundations. Not surprisingly, architecture will be the focus of their children’s hands-on programs, offered at local Akron-Summit County Public Libraries and the Hudson Library from June 20 through July 25. The libraries will then turn the kids’ creations into a large-scale mural of the city to display in one of the branches.

The museum continues its outdoor concert series, Downtown@Dusk, for its 22^nd season, in the parking lot of Summit Artspace, with adjacent galleries available for viewing from 6-8 p.m., from July 6 through Aug. 24. Designed for the entire family, these evenings will include free art activities, with your children’s mini-masterpieces placed on display, on a rotating basis, in Summit Artspace throughout the season.

Dorothy the Dinosaur’s Dance Party (June 9-11) and Barbie Live in Fairytopia (July 28-30) arrive at Playhouse Square Center (PSC) this summer. But for kids interested in more than just watching, PSC will host camps that emphasize hip-hop, graffiti art and DJing, as well as traditional theater performance. Education outreach manager, Ray Gargano, says that the Extremely Wicked Summer Camp is sold out, but openings still exist in the remaining camp for 13-19-year-olds, Extreme ISH (June 20-25). Two-day camps for 9-13-year-olds happen in June, July and August. Call (216) 771-444, ext. 3338 for information, or view the information online at www.playhousesquare.org and click on "Education Programs and Events."

For the American Idol fan, the Rising Star Talent Contest’s qualifying rounds will be held at PSC on Aug. 24 and 26, with the semifinals and finals on Sept. 16. Previously part of the CenterFest open house day, Gargano says that the competition outgrew that venue. It doesn’t matter if you’re a singer or dancer, what performance category you’re in or what your age is. Just be sure to call or check PSC’s website for up-to-date information and registration materials if you want a chance to ascend. A final incentive? Scott Savol, the Shaker Heights native who made it far into the television Idol show, will perform at the finals.

Enjoy music, theater, children’s activities and refreshments as the summer sun sets on the Marous Brothers Outdoor Stage. Whether you attend one of the four musical concerts, including the Summer Pops Concert, or an evening of Shakespeare, outdoor enjoyment can be had at this venue supported by The Fine Arts Association (FAA) in Willoughby as part of its Family Fun al Fresco. For daytime learning and leisure, the FAA offers "a full palette" of creative classes: clay, watercolor, drawing, oil and acrylic painting, ceramics, cartooning, calligraphy, beading and new this summer, creative writing.

With so many summer options for keeping your kids’ creative seeds fertilized, who knows what might blossom in the fall?

Jill Miller Zimon is a freelancer writer who lives in Pepper Pike, Ohio with her husband and three young children.