"Spotlight" Shines on the Arts

Description

Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education (DiAE) brings back its signature event, Spotlight, An Evening of the Arts, with an exciting new twist on Friday, April 30, 2021. New this year, the family friendly program will Livestream from The Delaware Contemporary in Wilmington and be offered free for all to view.
 
“As artists and educators, we believe in the power of the arts — in our schools and communities to help us connect, find joy, and meaning,” said Nanci Hersh, DiAE Executive Director. “We are so excited to share experiences like Spotlight with our families and friends throughout the community.”
 
The event aims to delight viewers of all ages with fun engaging experiences in music, dance, drama, visual arts, poetry and spoken word — all led by DiAE’s  professional Teaching Artists. Featured artists include Manny Chacón (step dance), Dana Edell (theatre), Jason Keller (percussion), Jea Street, Jr. (singer/songwriter), Kate Testa (mixed media), and Christian Wills (spoken word).
 
The evening's co-hosts are Ashley SK Davis, DiAE Artistic Director, and Chris Bruce of King Creative in Wilmington. The event will also honor special guest, Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride, who has long been an advocate for the arts and education. 
 
“Children and the arts have both been devastated by the pandemic,” says Street. “It is my duty and honor to play any role in getting our children and the arts back to normalcy.”
 
“In this year filled with isolation, fear, and trauma, young people — and really all of us — need the arts more than ever,” notes Davis. “By expressing ourselves through poetry, performance, music, dance, and visual arts, we’re reminded of the soaring limitless beauty of our spirit and energy, and we can discover new ways to connect across and beyond the ever-present screens.”
 
Viewers can reserve their spot to receive the link for the Livestream performance at https://diae.org/spotlight-reserve-your-spot/. All patrons reserving by 4/19 will be entered to win a DiAE family artpack. No purchase is required. Donations to the organization are welcome. 
 
DiAE is grateful to the following sponsors for their generous support of SPOTLIGHT: The Delaware Contemporary, WSTW, Tekstrom, Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC and the Delaware Division of the Arts.
 
ABOUT DELAWARE INSTITUTE FOR THE ARTS IN EDUCATION
DiAE is a nonprofit organization bringing diverse arts-integrated programming to students and teachers throughout Delaware. DiAE integrates the arts into the daily curriculum in schools and early learning centers to foster a love of learning while enhancing creativity, cultural awareness and respect. Since 1982, DiAE has partnered with state and local agencies, schools and school districts, museums, and other arts and cultural organizations to deliver the following programs:

• K-12 Residency Program. DiAE professional Teaching Artists lead hands-on workshops in dance, music, drama, and visual arts. These art-making experiences are aligned with Delaware State standards and are creatively integrated into the school curriculum.
• Delaware Wolf Trap (DWT). DWT is a partnership between a Wolf Trap Teaching Artist (TA) and an early childhood educator to provide professional development for teachers in the classroom–while engaging children in music, dance, and imaginative play.
• Professional Development. Arts-integrated workshops for Delaware teachers in public, private, and charter schools throughout the state.