Fine Arts at The Academies

 
FINE ARTS AT THE ALBANY ACADEMIES

The fine arts – visual and performing – are integral to an Academies education. From the earliest years, The Albany Academies experience is infused with substantial and unique offerings in the arts. These classes are designed to foster original and creative thinking while giving students the technical skills to express themselves in an artistic medium. The student experience is further enriched by our Kermani Arts program, which, each year, funds workshops and performances by visiting artists.

Kermani Fine Arts is sponsored by a yearly endowment given by the Kermani Family to fund visiting artists to the Academies. The criterion for the Kermani endowment is to include every student in the arts experience. In the past, we have hosted visual arts sculptor Joseph Smolinski (2002); Alvin Ailey Dance Troup and American Heritage musicians (2004); painter Andrea Bartfield (2005); Jennifer Miller and Co. (2006); and Why Melville Matters installation -- Bill Bergman and Rich Garrison (2007).

In conjunction with Kermani Fine Arts Days, arts education is enriched by the Visiting Artist Series. The Visiting Artists Series is funded by the Parents Association holiday greens sales and greatly enhances our arts program by bringing in artists from within the community to work with our students.

Artists from each discipline (visual art, dance, music, dance and theater) provide art experience opportunities for our students. Some of the artists we have hosted include The Lake George Opera, Capital Rep, Komotion and various individual arts and groups. Each school division is targeted throughout the year so that all students have the opportunity to take part in a wide variety of arts experiences.