Darlington Art Center

Outreach Programs

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 460 of Darlington’s 3,200 students participate in the following outreach programs:

The Chester Theater Arts Program
Since 1998, the Chester Theater Arts Program brings 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.

Chester Summer Arts Camp
In 2008, Darlington’s popular Chester Theater Arts Program was expanded to bring children to Darlington’s Summer Arts Camp. The Chester Summer Arts Camp offers students, ages 5-12 from the city of Chester, the opportunity to learn about a particular country or region through activities in music, art, dance and drama. Students study with Darlington’s professional teaching artists and artists-in-residence during each session.

Suzuki Violin and Early Childhood Music
With instruments generously donated by the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Darlington currently offers Suzuki violin instruction in three elementary schools: Toby Farms Elementary School and Chester Upland School of the Arts (CUSA) in the city of Chester, and the Chester County Family Academy in West Chester. Since 1999 over 500 students have received weekly violin training from Darlington Teaching Artists.

These outreach programs are fully funded through grants and individual donations. If you would like to help support arts education through Darlington, please contact the office at 610-358-3632.