In addition to a full schedule of classes and private instruction at the Center, Darlington reaches out to children with special needs and economically disadvantaged youth living in the urban areas of Chester and West Chester. Approximately 275 of Darlington's 2,400 students participate in the following outreach programs:

The Chester Youth Theater Arts Program
Since 1998 the Chester Youth Theater Arts Program has brought music, dance and drama training annually to 100 African-American children and youth, ages 5 to 18 living in the city of Chester. Located at the Toby Farms Elementary School, this program meets during the school year, every Saturday from 11:00am to 2:00pm. The program provides additional exposure to the arts through performance opportunities, guest artists, and cultural field trips.

PathWaysPA Preschool Arts Program
For the past 13 years, children ages 3 - 5 from PathWaysPA have been tranported to Darlington once a week for two-and-a-half hours of music, art, dance and drama. Darlington's dedicated and nurturing preschool teachers help these children express themselves creatively while developing social skills, confidence, focus and team work.

Suzuki Violin and Early Childhood Music
With instruments generously donated by the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, Darlington currently offers Suzuki violin instruction in two elementary schools: Toby Farms Elementary School in the city of Chester, and the Chester County Family Academy in West Chester. Since 1999 over 300 students from Toby Farms Elementary have received weekly violin training from Darlington Faculty.

Therapeutic Arts Education
Through a partnership with Elwyn Institute's Children's Specialized Services and the Child Guidance Resource Center Darlington offers on-site and off-site weekly classes in visual arts and music therapy. These classes offer creative ways to enhance learning and a powerful means of self-expression.

“I have been in the Chester Theater Arts Program for 6 years. I have learned many things that cannot be displayed on the stage at the semester's closing. I have learned how to be a leader, setting a good example that others younger than me can follow. I have leaned how to discipline myself and I can focus on the task at hand and follow through until it is complete. I also learned how to let my creativity shine through in anything that I do.” ~ Zaakiyah Brown, 16 year old student from the Chester Theater Arts Program

 

To download a brochure about our Outreach Programs, or make a donation to help support them, print out this Microsoft Word document: DAOI Brochure.

 

977 Shavertown Road
Garnet Valley, PA 19061
info@darlingtonarts.org
610-358-3632