CIP adds visual and performing arts track

LEE – The College Internship Program (CIP) is expanding its arts curriculum to offer an entire visual and performing arts track to students.

Previously, CIP, which provides full-year post-secondary programs (including assistance with social, academic, career and life skills) to young adults with Asperger’s, high-functioning Autism and other learning differences, only offered academic and career preparation programs.

The goals of the new program are to provide an outlet for creative interests and expression; provide practical skill building and experience through the arts; integrate CIP core curriculum such as executive functioning and social thinking; and provide gainful experience in the creative visual and performing arts fields.

In addition to the CIP offices on Main Street, the program also owns and operates the Good Purpose Gallery and Spectrum Playhouse on Franklin Street, two venues to showcase the new visual and performing arts programs.

The CIP already offered creative arts programming, including a puppetry class, talent shows and art contests.

“We’ve been doing puppets for 10 years now,” said Kyle Goldman, CIP Berkshire creative arts director. “The kids are the ones who pushed for…more offerings.”

“It builded slowly,” added Dan McManmon, CIP director of marketing. “We’re taking students’ special interests and running with it.”

The new offerings include art classes in the basement of the Spectrum Playhouse and multimedia courses in a new technology lab in the CIP Berkshire offices.

“I like how you can express yourself and make your own creations,” said Kelly Jacobitti, a CIP art student. “It’s fun, and it relaxes you too. I love it.”

Ilene Spiewak, CIP’s new art teacher, is using her previous experience working at a theraputic alternative high school in Philadelphia to work with kids in Lee.

“It was life-changing for some kids – they learned how to express themselves,” she said of students with learning differences taking an interest in the arts. “In art class, people connect with each other in ways they can’t even describe.

“So many people don’t have a voice and you give yourself a voice through art,” Ms. Spiewak added. “People who are encouraged to make art find a voice.”

She also said students interested in the arts learn creative problem-solving through encountering different ways of thinking about art.

Mr. McManmon hopes the CIP visual and performing arts program will grow to utilize The Berkshires’ various arts facilities.

“We want to get them in places like Shakespeare and Company and Jacob’s Pillow,” he said.

“I’d really be thrilled to see the program expand,” Ms. Spiewak added.

The Berkshire division was the starting grounds for the entire College Internship Program and continues to serve as its national headquarters.

For those interested in learning more, the CIP Berkshire office (40 Main St., Ste. 3) will be hosting an open house on Thursday, Oct. 4 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on September 27, 2012. Filed under Education News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry