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| "To provide people of all ages, cultures and economic backgrounds with a supportive, cooperative environment in which they can participate in and explore the fine and performing arts." |
| Appel Farm mission statement |
Education has been at the heart of Appel Farm's arts programs since it was founded in 1960. Since its beginning as a unique arts and music summer camp, the Center has been dedicated to creating opportunities for children to become actively involved in the arts. As the Center grew over the decades, our mission has expanded and now includes a broad range of year-round arts activities and events for all ages that are presented at the Center, in public schools and at many other regional venues.
While the Summer Arts Camp has gained an international reputation, and the annual Arts & Music Festival attracts thousands of music lovers from the East Coast and beyond, the programs of Appel Farm have also grown to serve thousands of children, families and adults living in southern New Jersey. Over the years, programs have been created to bring high quality arts performances and arts programs to the many schools, cities, small towns and rural areas in southwestern Camden, Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland counties that have relatively few accessible and affordable professional arts resources. Fifteen elementary and middle schools host Appel Farm theater residencies, interactive musical performances, and dance and visual arts workshops in their schools at no cost to students or schools. Students also visit Appel Farm's Clare Rostan Appel Theatre for Student Theater and Dance Matinées, enabling them to experience the excitement of live performance presented by outstanding groups that are recognized regionally, nationally and internationally.
Opportunities for children, adults and families to experience and participate in the arts also abound! For years, families have filled the Clare Rostan Appel Theatre on Saturday afternoons as the Family Matinée Series has featured amazing groups including Trout Fishing in America, the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, Theatreworks USA, the Pushcart Players, Opera on the Go and many others to entertain, educate and inspire young audiences. The newest program of the Center, Arts Classes at Appel Farm, is a fast-growing kaleidoscope of arts classes and workshops for children and adults that are offered during the day, afterschool, evenings and on weekends.
Today, Appel Farm's Community Arts Outreach Programs include Public School Arts Education Programs, the Family Matinée Series, the Summer Arts Outreach Programs, Community Arts Projects and Arts Classes at Appel Farm. With generous support from a wide circle of public, foundation, corporate and individual funders, a summer camp that evolved into a multidisciplinary regional arts organization continues to serve larger and more diverse audiences and students every year.
We invite you to come for a class – and stay for a show! Bring your family, or be a solo act! Feed that creative urge, introduce a child to the wonder of a classic tale set to music or be thrilled with the magic of puppetry, dance, storytelling and much, much more!
