““Arts education is vital for our children and me” ”
East Side Arts Council is committed to bringing artists to schools, rec centers, and public spaces to increase passion for the Arts for future generations.
Arts for Youth at recreation centers and schools offers classes from professional artists in subjects such as Hip-Hop dance, Hmong dance, visual arts, theater, and more. ESAC’s work with Flipside of St. Paul Public Schools has documented that students are truant much less if they are involved in these classes. Participating schools include: Txuj Ci HMong Language and Culture (formerly known as Phalen Lake Hmong Magnet), Highwood Elementary, Nokomis Montessori North, Creative Arts Secondary School, Hope Community Academy, Johnson Senior High School, and Missisippi Creative Arts.
We offer arts classes at parks and recreation centers, significantly reducing transportation barriers, as part of the Art for Summer Blast program in partnership with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. Professional artists visit four recreation centers each week to bring art classes selected by each site based on the interests of youth.
REC Check WITH LAYNE LUNDSTEN
As part of our ongoing summer rec check program, artist Layne Lundsten held a class on printmaking where they used different foods to create cool and unique patterns! Click here if you want to learn more about our rec check program and see upcoming classes!
Johnson High School Benches
Through a grant with Capital Region Watershed District, artist Gita Ghei created this sculptural bench with 70 students at Johnson High School. Clay tiles were created with students over a two month residency Feb - April before being installed in June 2024. Also included were studies of our watershed.
2023-2024 SCHOOL RESIDENCIES
txuj ci hmong language and culture
Global Dance with Mickie Vang, Carol Sersland, Becky Cusick, and Juliet Irving
Music with Peter Morrow
Puppetry with Mark Stafford
highwood hills
Music and Puppetry with Malia Burkhart and Peter Morrow
Mississippi Creative Arts
Visual Arts with Marie Olofsdotter
hope community academy
Visual Arts with Marie Olofsdotter
johnson high school
Clay Tile Making with Gita Ghei
SPRING 2022 CLASSES
skyview middle school
Comic Book Making with Maxwell Healey
humboldt secondary school
Visual Arts with Zoe Rogers
ramsey middle school
Hip Hop Dance with Rayna Howard
John a johnson elementary/ymca
Hip Hop Dance with Derrick Gichaba
FALL/WINTER 2021 CLASSES
skyview middle school
Haitian Dance with Djenane Saint Juste
Comic Book Making with Maxwell Healey
humboldt secondary school
Visual Arts with Zoe Rogers
ramsey middle school
Hip Hop Dance with Rayna Howard
WASHINGTON TECHNOLOGY MAGNATE SCHOOL
Photography with Sophea Ek
John a johnson elementary/ymca
Hip Hop Dance with Derrick Gichaba
SPRING 2020 CLASSES
JOHN A JOHNSON ELEMENTARY/YMCA
Visual Arts with Caroline Alkire
RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Hip-Hop with Rayna Howard
WASHINGTON TECHNOLOGY MAGNET
Hmong Dance with Jannie Vang
FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE UPPER CAMPUS
Hmong Dance with See Xiong