The NYSATA Legislative Exhibit is the flagship event for Youth Art Month and NYSATA's largest public display of student artwork in a government building. The exhibit is co-sponsored by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT). Founded in 1990, this student art exhibit is held in the Legislative Office Building in Albany each Spring, providing an exciting opportunity for students and their families to connect with their legislators. A committee of dedicated art educator volunteers makes all of the arrangements and notifies legislators of participants in their electoral districts. Legislators from across the state are invited to recognize the artistic accomplishments of their aspiring artist constituents at a reception for students, parents and teachers held on the 3rd Floor Terrace Level of the Legislative Office Building. Families may pre-arrange a meet-and-greet with the Assemblyman and/or Senator from their local district, which may include a photo session, office tour and/or written correspondences with their Legislators. The reception concludes with an interactive and inspiring ceremony. With the return of artwork, each student entrant receives a Certificate of Participation from NYSATA and a copy of the Legislative Student Art Exhibit brochure. Registration is $25 per teacher for up to two works from grades K-12. District Members receive a reduced registration fee, applied automatically upon log in.

The Reppin Fitness Live Puppet Show brings fitness and fun directly to your students! Brick Headstrong transforms your classroom or event location into an immersive and interactive fitness experience with his entire podcast studio. This unique show features Brick interviewing a special guest of your choice—whether it's your gym teacher, principal, or star student athlete—ensuring a personalized and memorable performance. With engaging fitness routines, practical healthy living tips, and dynamic content, Brick captivates and educates students, making fitness both fun and informative. Each 30-45 minute show is crafted to keep topics relevant and on point, inspiring kids to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

QP Leadership's unique, three-pronged expertise combining education administration, veteran teaching, and executive business success provides a results-focused approach to improving classroom culture, moving from an "I, Me, My" mindset to a collaborative "We, Us, Our" environment. Our effective strategies address the challenges teachers face every day with Generation Alpha, especially given the significant impact technology and AI are having on students' emotional intelligence and social emotional learning. We are designed for immediate application and deliver proven, actionable strategies: Compassionate Discipline, FORM, 'Whale Done', and Total Quality Management Models. QP Leadership will present a high-value, relevant, and engaging professional development session that meets the critical need for effective behavioral and cultural strategies in today's classrooms.

We are offering three different shows to bring to students that are friendly for the whole family! PACKRAT: Set deep in the Sagebrush Desert, PACKRAT is a visually stunning puppet-forward play that contemplates humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Puppetry, projections and an original score elegantly come together to create many layers of meaning and emotions. At the center of the action is Bud, a peculiar rodent with a penchant for hoarding humankind’s goods. When a discarded cigar sparks a wild fire, the animals in Bud’s valley flee for their lives. Already an outcast among the desert animals for his hoarding instincts, he gets blamed for the human-made disasters infiltrating their lives. When they ban him from the community, Bud must set out alone amidst a raging fire, to confront human-made dangers and a few natural ones. PACKRAT is a poignant account of Bud’s journey to find his place in the world, and his ultimate realization that the interconnectedness of life rules the day. GEPPETTO: EXTRAORDINARY EXTREMITIES is a tale of resilience and adaptation that tells the story of puppet-maker Geppetto, who is attempting to perform — all by himself for the first time ever — the grand mythical love story of Perseus, who slays a sea monster to save his beloved Andromeda. During the show things begin to go haywire, and Geppetto finds himself desperately improvising to overcome the challenges of performing solo while at the same time scrambling to devise new story lines, new characters, and even new limbs. GEPPETTO was inspired by a NPR story on Hugh Herr, whose legs were amputated after a climbing accident and who now designs technologically advanced artificial limbs. GEPPETTO opened Off-Broadway 2014 at SoHo Playhouse, has had a 7-City Northern Italy Tour, performances in Italian and a Costa Rica Tour, performances in Spanish. GEPPETTO has toured extensively in USA. 2017, GEPPETTO toured South Korea and 2018: Canal Café Theatre, London; SUNY Orange, Newburgh; NYS Puppetry Festival, Perry. ERNIE'S SECRET LIFE is an episodic odyssey, fusing ever-changing puppetry and stagecraft with humor, music, and a raw understanding of our profound collective reality. Sparked by the isolation and turmoil of our time, ERNIE'S SECRET LIFE is a story of discovery for all. A man fearing something has happened to his son, builds a canoe and secretly sets off to find him. What he finds instead – is himself. Powered by a wondrous landscape-in-motion, the play is about escaping and then finding your way… a celebration of how we become who we want to be. Concrete Temple Theatre offers a variety of workshops to accompany our performances. Subjects covered can include performance skills, theatrical adaptation, puppet construction, and storytelling. The work students create will play as a prelude to our performances. Workshops can be tailored to your needs, ranging from an hour-long exploration to a week long intensive. Please inquire to specify desired content, length and price.

Discover the fascinating world of Native American folklore, respect for nature and a sense of family, community and caring for the land. Marty Hight shares her stories about beliefs held deeply sacred and get an inside look at how the Native Americans world changed as their land was taken and they were forced to march to a new and strange land. Or, learn how to craft corn husk dolls and hear the story about her creation. Marty invites your students to help illustrate her stories, demonstrate dances and celebrates their special gifts. In this school assembly, history comes alive as stories told for centuries are shared in an engaging way to impart character lessons and tribal history. It’s ideal for Grades K-6. TOPICS INCLUDE: HISTORY • CULTURE • STORYTELLING • SINGING • NATURE • TRADITIONS • DIVERSITY • LANGUAGE • CRAFTS • AND MORE! Marty Hight (Ma-ha-gum-se / Shawnee) is a Native American who has a Cherokee and Shawnee heritage. She is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma who draws from family history and storytelling to share her people’s history, language, songs, customs, rituals and legends through vivid narratives. Reach out today to learn how you can join in the excitement when you host Marty Hight!

Historic Cherry Hill tells a story of America through the lives and experiences of five generations of an Albany, New York, family. One of Albany's most recognizable landmarks, Cherry Hill was built in 1787 for Philip and Maria Van Rensselaer. Rare among this country's house museums,Cherry Hill's extensive and intact collection includes more than 70,000 items-decorative arts and furnishings, books, diaries, documents, clothing, bedding, photographs, and other objects reflecting daily life-all related to the family that lived here between 1787 and 1963. On-site Programs: Contact holly@historiccherryhill.org to plan your visit. Mining the Untold Stories: Black & Female Voices at Historic Cherry Hill, Schuyler Mansion, & the Stephen & Harriet Myers Residence Grades 4-8 Group size: max. 30 students (Up to 90 students for a 3 site visit) Length: 60 minutes per program (approx. 4 hours for a 3 site visit) Schools are invited to visit up to three historic sites in the city of Albany on the same day to build a stronger understanding of New York State history and the diverse voices in our historic communities. Each site guides students through an examination of the experiences of underrepresented people living in Albany during three different time periods, from the turn of the 19th century through the late 1800s. Pre-Visit Materials, Digitized Collections and other Teacher Resources are available on Consider the Source New York Historic Cherry Hill's "Mining the Untold Stories" programs are divided by grade into 2 distinct offerings: Time Capsules Through History, grades 4 & 5 Students work in small groups to learn about 3 generations of families who lived and labored at Cherry Hill and in Albany's South End during the 1800s. They explore time capsules left by individuals affected by slavery, industry, immigration, urbanization and other changes. Students also tour this historic house and tie it all together with an interactive timeline activity. Greetings from Cherry Hill, grades 7 & 8 Students examine letters and other primary sources to compare and contrast the experiences of two wards and domestic workers who grew up in Van Rensselaer households between 1850 and 1900. They tour the historic house, participate in a letter reading workshop, and interactive timeline activity to discover change over time, particularly for women and people of color. Students leave with materials to write their own postcards "19th century style." Research and planning for "Mining the Untold Stories" was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). New & Improved! The 1827 Murder Mystery at Cherry Hill Grades 7-12+ Students take on the role of coroner to investigate the suspicious murder of John Whipple on May 7, 1827. Working together, participants analyze primary source documents and object clues to learn about the roles (and experiences) of different members of the Cherry Hill household. This interactive tour uses the unique circumstances of the infamous murder at Cherry Hill in Albany to examine how attitudes about class, race and gender shaped life in early 19th century America. Group size: Up to 30 students, split into 2 groups Length: This program runs 60 minutes Learning to Look Tours Grades pre-K-12, college, and mixed age groups. Topics upon request. Outreach Programs: We can come to your school (space providing) or a location of your choice (we love to partner!). Hudson River Trading Game- This program complements New York State Learning Standards in Social Studies & ELA. Grades 4 & 5 This hands-on program creatively combines history, economics, science, ELA and math. Students role play using a 34-foot game board to experience the challenges of 18th-century trade and travel on the Hudson River and discover how Hudson River trade was linked to global trade. Group size: Up to 25 students per program, 2 classes per outreach visit Length: Approximately 60 min. (depending on group size), with additional time to set up & pack up. Kit Option: A more cost efficient way to play- borrow the Hudson River Trading Game as a board game to facilitate at your school! The *New* Cherry Hill Case- This program complements New York State Learning Standards in Social Studies and ELA. Grades 4 & 5 Through hands-on exploration of primary source documents, photographs and objects, students work together to investigate the roles, relationships, and every day lives of people who shared a home at Cherry Hill during the mid 1800s. The Cherry Hill Case is "closed" when students test their hypotheses through participation in a document-based Reader's Theatre. Group size: Up to 1 class (25 students) per program, 2 classes per outreach visit Length: Approximately 90 minutes Live Remote Programs: Life at Cherry Hill Show & Tell (grades 4 & 5): Learn about life in the mid 1800s by seeing objects that belonged to members of the Cherry Hill household. Presentations (grades 7-12): Interactive slide presentations: The 1827 Cherry Hill Murder...dig into early 19th century issues of women's roles, legal rights, social class, punishment & law, and slavery in New York. Hear the words of those involved in the crime and decide whom you think was guilty or innocent. Child Servants at Cherry Hill: Kinship & the Struggle for Autonomy...explore the experiences of children raised as servants in Van Rensselaer households during the Victorian Era, their connection to Cherry Hill's earliest days, and the practice of child indenture in Albany. Agency & Identity: Cherry Hill's Would-Be Sisters...analyze the photographs, accounts, and possessions left behind by two Victorian Era women to understand how class, race, and gender shaped life. Tours (grades 4 - 12): Take an interpretive live tour of Cherry Hill Mansion, the Edward Frisbee Collections Care Center or the historical gardens grounds, topics vary by season and age.

At Pimentel Murals, we welcome students into a warm, imaginative space where creativity blossoms and empty walls are transformed into colorful murals through teamwork and collaboration. In each session, young artists work side by side, sharing ideas and painting techniques, guided by a professional muralist who helps them harness their imagination and learn valuable new skills. Patience and focus grow naturally as students mix paint, practice brush strokes, and contribute to a larger design, each stroke reflecting personal creativity and the group’s collective vision. Throughout this creative journey, students find joy in exploring colors and shapes, gaining confidence in their artistic abilities and discovering that their ideas truly matter.

We offer several performers from our roster for BOCES Programs.

I offer hands-on creative writing workshops in poetry and prose (3-5 days each---3 workshops per day---across a chosen grade level, where each class gets 3-5 visits each). I meet with teachers to discuss their curriculum needs and thematic requests, suggesting various workshop ideas tailored to their requests. Teachers then choose what works best for them---for example: Assistance with reluctant writers, adding details, word choice, adjective strength, voice---in whatever current learning theme is paramount, such as animals, environment, feelings, character development, social studies, etc. I support teachers throughout the residency where they will be present and interact whenever their insight is needed as I teach. During and after the residency, I check in (over lunch, etc.) to ascertain how teachers are feeling about their students' progress, and also to offer many resources from both my books, stories, poems, and teacher oriented publications (nine books with Scholastic Professional Books for teachers) where they might copy any lessons they wish to use in the future. I also offer follow-up ideas at the end of every residency for those who wish to continue using the writing "tools/ideas" I present to their students. And there are always numerous options! I love to work with the core levels to help develop a stronger writing momentum with students (for example, 2nd grades in fall, same students in 3rd grade with different themes/format the following year, 4th grade added on or begun simultaneously--always building on previous workshop skills, etc. Districts have booked me in various schools for 25 plus years, often having me conduct workshops from year to year in multiple levels, as teachers love the support and boost my energy brings to their classrooms and students from which they springboard after I leave. The sky's the limit! I am here to serve educationally and creatively.

Founded in 1997, Treehouse Shakers’ creates award winning, original dance-plays that encourage multi-generational audiences to experience greater connections to their community. Melding theater, dance, music and visual elements with a script, our current school repertoire includes 7 tour-ready performances that explore narrative styles through universal themes addressing every age level within youth programming. Solidifying our role in the American theater scene, we created and toured the first dance-play for babies, Hatched, in 2012. We remain one of the few companies making thoughtful professional performances for the very early years. Our current roster includes: Hatched for ages 0-6, Flutter for 6-18 months, Sail Away for 18-24 months, Olive & Pearl for ages 2-5, The Littlest Cove for ages 3-6, The Boy Who Grew Flowers, ages 5-10, and Under the Tangle for 8-13. We also offer Pillow Fort, a web-series & Dance Break, an educational series to be streamed into the classroom. Treehouse Shakers also offers a variety of exceptional public workshops, in-school residencies, and staff developments tailored to specific arts programming and age ranges. We specialize in Storytelling, Dance, Writing, Creative Drama and More. Our arts in education programs encourage young people to think, learn, and truly be engaged through the discipline, innovation, and creativity of the arts. We can offer a half-hour workshop to an entire year of learning!

Richard Hight is a nationally recognized artist/speaker who uses the fine arts to help his audiences create strategies for change by turning good ideas into great results. He is on a mission to help students see the possibility of their potential and create new opportunities. Addressing thousands every year, Richard’s Art of Inspiration influences his audiences to use their imagination to discover their originality and celebrate their differences. As a masterful storyteller with a down to earth, Oklahoma warmth, and humorous style, he always connects with his audiences. Richard’s presentation begins with the dramatic and exciting creation of a stunning illustration on a six-foot canvas (each school can suggest what image will best serve their students – historical figures, patriotic images, school mascots and others, etc.). Students and teachers are WOW’ed by the combination of powerful illustration, spoken word, and music that transpires in a matter of moments. The artwork Richard creates then provides the foundation for his keynote presentation and discussion.. He can customize a portion of your event to include Anti-Bullying, Character Building or reinforce the theme of your school.

Wendy and DB Duo and Band - Get your Sunny Side UP with Grammy nominated and award-winning kindie duo from Chicago, with two vocals, guitar and a ukulele, Wendy and DB blend their powerful voices, write and perform songs about science, nature, diversity, animals, safety, and the arts. Their unique style is reflected in the music and catchy lyrics along with their vocal harmonies. They examine the world with curiosity and what you experience is just plain fun!  Wendy and DB Pioneers of Blues for kids and families concerts are high energy and get everyone moving, singing, and dancing.   Grammy Nominated in 2023 in the Best Children’s category for their album “Into the Little Blue House” a blues album for children and families. “Get your Sunny Side Side UP” is the bands 8th album filled with positive pop songs that will light up the whole neighbor with sunshine.