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      • 2022 Storytelling Event
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IDEA Center For The Arts

IDEA Center For The ArtsIDEA Center For The ArtsIDEA Center For The Arts

The Institute for The Development Of Education In the Arts

Phone: 856-210-9394

IDEA Center For The Arts

IDEA Center For The ArtsIDEA Center For The ArtsIDEA Center For The Arts

The Institute for The Development Of Education In the Arts

Phone: 856-210-9394

2022 Storytelling Event

About the Day

(Camden, NJ) On Saturday May 14th the IDEA Center for the Arts in Camden, the Rutgers-Camden Digital Studies Center (DiSC), the Rutgers-Camden Proof Lab and members of the Department of Childhood Studies partnered to host A Day of Storytelling, initially scheduled to be in Johnson Park located in Camden, NJ from 12PM to 5PM; but due to rain, we moved the event indoors at the IDEA Center for The Arts.   The event was a celebration of Southern New Jersey's diverse culture and the stories that helped shape our community. It featured storytelling workshops, presentations by community members, performances, exhibits, vendors, food and so much more. Attendees enjoyed a day of festivities from various cultures with a focus on Indigenous Peoples, the Latinx & African American communities with an awesome lineup of presenters that included Kim Hunter from the Lenape Nation, Arthur & Shawnta Taylor with a family story weaved into the fabric of African American history, plus a reenactment of Harriet Tubman; "Sisters laying down hands" with Mama Nzingha featuring drummer Karen Smith and Nidsa Resto Bruno featuring musician Suzette Ortiz. Ortiz's segment presented short stories discussing Latin American roots and the mixture of all three cultures titled My story is your story, “Mi historia es tu historia."  They shared how we preserve our culture through storytelling.   


"Growing up listening to stories that my mother used to tell me resulted in a sense of well-being and connectedness. Our storytelling Festival was about emitting positive energy into the environment, proving how we are all interconnected," says IDEA CEO & Founder, Cynthia Primas. The celebration and partnership were created to organize a variety of events and programs as "part of a broader effort to reimagine Johnson Park as a place to gather, to celebrate and to collaborate." We are thankful to our sponsors which include Rutgers-Camden University, Geraldine R Dodge Foundation, Bread & Roses, Subaru Foundation of America and New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund. Additional funders include the Community Foundation of South Jersey and Sozosei Foundation.

2022 Storytelling Photo Gallery

    Remembering "The Cadillac Lady"

    SandraTurner-Barnes

    We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sandra Turner-Barnes.  A wonderful person, an amazing poet, and dear friend.  Sandra has been by our side and a member of the IDEA family for so many years offering advice, lending her support, sharing her talents, her knowledge, but most of all, sharing her love.  IDEA stands because of the broad and strong shoulders of people like Sandra.  She was awesome; a powerful presence in our lives, and a dominant figure in the spoken word and artistic community.  She will sincerely be missed!  The first Cadillac cars rolled off the assembly line in 1902 and have been known for their precision manufacturing, style, luxury, and was simply a car that was a better-made vehicle than it’s competitors.  So it’s no surprise that Sandra was known as the “Cadillac Lady!”  She was precise with her words, had unmatched style, and was simply a better poet than her competitors.  And just like Cadillacs have been admired for over 120 years, the Legacy of Sandra Turner-Barnes, AKA the “Cadillac Lady”, will also live on forever!

    See IDEA featured in WHYY's Movers & Makers (2021)

    Tribute to Bootsie Barnes

    Bootsie Barnes was a legendary Saxophone player who's career spanned almost seven decades.  Known throughout the world, this Philadelphia native dazzled audiences far and wide with his famous "Bop" sound.  We honor his legacy and contributions to the world of Jazz, and to music in general; and feel fortunate to have had him as part of the IDEA Family.

    Welcome to the Creative Zone!

    Nurture your artistic passion in an open, accepting oasis - in the heart of creative Camden!

    IDEA is a friendly, welcoming community that helps nurture the creative talents of area youth and gives them the freedom to explore their artistic passion fully in a safe, reassuring environment. 


    In our brand new, state-of-the-art facility where students are encouraged to express the beauty of their own spirit – often for the first time. Where they can find a home for their most brave and intimate artistic impulses, as well as a training ground for well-paid careers in the creative economy.  


    For over 20 years our professional instructors have worked to nurture students’ artistic sensibilities and bring meaning to their lives and their future careers. Together, we witness the miracle of seeing youth really wake up creatively and gain a fresh, new perspective on who they are. And who they can be!  We offer arts programs that unleash the power of creativity.


    "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have!"

      - Maya Angelou

    Get Creative!

    Digital Design

    Digital Design

    Digital Design

    Explore the world of art using the latest digital equipment and software! IPads, and digital sketchpads, in some cases have replaced the traditional pencil to create stunning art.

    Multimedia

    Digital Design

    Digital Design

    "Multimedia is not more media, but the employment of various kinds of media for what they each offer to advance the narrative." - Fred Ritchin

    Film and Video

    Digital Design

    Film and Video

    “THE MOST HONEST FORM OF FILMMAKING IS TO MAKE A FILM FOR YOURSELF.” - Peter Jackson

    Theater

    Songwriting

    Film and Video

    The class includes: Team work, relaxation, concentration, movement, voice, play analysis, acting, improvisation, character analysis, performance, scene work, monologues, audition/interview skills, theatre vocabulary, theatre history and some play reviews.

    Music

    Songwriting

    Songwriting

    Classes will have structured activities such as conducting, game songs, solo and ensemble experiences, improvisation, movement, music reading-readiness, along with hands on experiences with the piano.

    Songwriting

    Songwriting

    Songwriting

    “What made him so extraordinary as a lyricist was his ability to say in really simple words big ideas, big feelings, big thoughts.”

    - Carole King

    Comic Book Design

    Drone Cinematography

    Drone Cinematography

    “Marvel is a cornucopia of fantasy, a wild idea, a swashbuckling attitude, an escape from the humdrum and the prosaic. It's a serendipitous feast for the mind, the eye, the imagination, a literate celebration of unbridled creativity, coupled with a touch of rebellion and an insolent desire to spit in the eye of the dragon.” 

    - Stan Lee

    Drone Cinematography

    Drone Cinematography

    Drone Cinematography

    Drone technology is becoming big in the business and creative community.  We've partnered with local instructors to offer this new and emerging technology.

    Career Training

    Drone Cinematography

    Career Training

    A career training program refers to a short training course that takes between six weeks and six months to prepare youth for employment.

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    Looking to unleash your creative spirit?

    IDEA Center for the Arts is where you want to be!

    IDEA Center for the Arts

    (856) 577-8337

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    • 2021 Arts & Music Fest.