SPCB’s Arts & Education Program advocates for the inclusion of art as an integral part of total education. Saint Paul City Ballet dance classes are for everyone – ballet, jazz, sacred dance, and dance for the young child.

A study by the Arts Education Partnership, a national coalition of arts, education, business, philanthropic and government organizations, states that various art forms have a positive academic effect. Dance helps aid creative thinking, originality, elaboration and flexibility, improves expressive skills, social tolerance, self-confidence and persistence. Music improves math achievement and proficiency, reading and cognitive development.

“The limits of our language do not define the limits of our thoughts,” says Georgia Amdahl, president of SPCB and former language teacher. “What cannot be conveyed in words is often possible in dance. This speaks to the core of literacy—meaning. As schools find it more difficult to include the arts in their academic offerings it is imperative for artists to step up to the plate.”

Beyond-the-classroom educational experience
For the past two holidays, SPCB has sponsored a free holiday performance for students. The 2005 performance was made possible because of a joint sponsorship between SPCB and the business community, led by TDS Metrocom and Equity Services, Inc. of St. Paul. All expenses for the schools and students are covered, including transportation to the performance. Saint Paul City Ballet has provided all participating schools with a lesson plan and materials supporting the learning experience.

To register for these Community Education classes, you must call the Community Education office at 651-293-8811.