Outreach Programs
Ice Theatre of New York’s involvement in the community is vital to the Company. Traditionally, figure skating has been considered an elitist sport, with ice rental, skating equipment, and coaching expenses so costly that many parents cannot afford to get their children involved. In the same way, most professional ice show tickets are too expensive for underserved families and seniors.
ITNY's series of free shows
and skating clinics with school-age children in underserved areas of
New York City is part of the Company's mission. Through the
winter months, Ice Theatre of New York offers three free concert series: City Skate Concert Series at the Rink at Rockefeller Center and the Citi Pond at Bryant Park, the New
Works and Young Artist Series at Riverbank State Park in Harlem and the World Ice Arena in Flushing, Queens, and the Summer Youth Concert Series at the World Ice Arena in Queens.
These programs make the art of figure skating more visible and
available to all the citizens of New York City. The New
Works and Young Artist Series targets school-age children from Harlem, Washington Heights & the Bronx for the Riverbank site and from all over Queens for the Flushing and Long Island City sites, and offers a free skating clinic after the
performance where the young audience is encouraged to get on the ice
and learn from the professionals and apprentices.
Watch a video about our Outreach program
For photos from 2010 to the present, please see our Facebook Page.
New Works and Young Artists Series
Winter, 2010-11
Ice Theatre of New York’s New Works and Young Artists Series combine art, exercise and skill building for children, helping them to be more confident and physically fit, while having fun.
This free to the public program features Ice Theatre of New York ensemble skaters performing a repertory of established and emerging dance and ice choreographers, as well as guest artists and Ice Theatre of New York youth apprentices, skating original ice dances and freestyle programs.
Before the performances, Ice Theatre of New York teaching artists visit the participating schools, preparing the children for the performance and skating lesson. At this visit, the teaching artist provides information to better prepare the children for the performance and skating lesson.
Following the performance, students put on skates and safety equipment and join the performers for a free, interactive, on-ice skating lesson where they learn both figure skating fundamentals and safety skills.
This program is needed now because New York State has a childhood obesity crisis, according to State Comptroller. One in four New Yorkers under the age of 18 is obese (approximately 1.1 million people). According to the New York City Department of Health, obesity begins early in life and is “epidemic.”
Skating is an aerobic exercise, excellent for one’s cardiovascular health. It increases endurance and improves muscle tone. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, a 150-pound person burns around 600 calories for each hour of skating, creating an excellent health benefit for children as well as adults. New Works and Young Artists get children outside for a winter ice dance performance and then onto the ice for winter exercise, a skating clinic, and fun.
Further, New Works and Young Artists Series encourage participation in an art form in which students have limited access and often no actual experience. The skating clinic that Ice Theatre of New York provides gives children the important opportunity to skate with someone knowledgeable who can show them how to handle the ice, thus increasing their mastery and confidence levels. The health benefits to participating children are immediate and could develop into a long-term love of this outdoor activity.
Ice Theatre of New York has an excellent track record of providing New Works and Young Skaters Series to children at Riverbank State Park in Manhattan (this will be our 16th season there) ,and World Ice Arena in Queens (our 3rd season). For the last eight years, thus program has served over 3,000 children per year. The Department of Cultural Affairs already provides partial funding for New Works and Young Artists Series.
Some of our other programs include free public concerts held around the city and performances at Sky Rick at Chelsea Piers where we showcase major new works.
Founded in 1984, Ice Theatre of New York is the nation’s first ice dance ensemble dedicated to the development and promotion if figure skating as a performing art. Modeled on the framework of that of a traditional contemporary dance troupe, Ice Theatre of New York has brought together a professional ensemble of skaters and built a diverse repertory of pieces on ice that have be presented nationally and internationally. We commission renowned choreographers from both the dance and skating communities to create new work.
Ice Theatre of New York meets its expenses through multiple sources, with the organization’s earned income derived from ticket sales, performance fees, and private events. It addition, Ice Theatre of New York conducts the following fundraising activities throughout the season: an annual Friends of Ice Theatre of New York appeal for individual gifts, major gift appeals, the submission of proposals for corporate and foundation grants, and the Annual Benefit Gala, which will take place in September. We also rely on the many in-kind contributions that we receive such as free or discounted ice rental, etc.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg describes Ice Theatre of New York as combining “the best of ice skating, dance and theatre to create cutting edge performances that represent the very best New York’s creative community has to offer.” New Works and Young Artists Series bring art inspiration and exercise to young people who will benefit from healthy group outdoor activities.
2008 NEW WORKS AND YOUNG ARTISTS SERIES AT RIVERBANK STATE PARK IN HARLEM
2008
marks the 13th year that Ice Theatre has offered its premier
educational and outreach program, The New Works and Young Artists
Series
at Riverbank State Park in Harlem. This series is dedicated to
emerging choreographers and young performers, who have an opportunity
to
present new works to school children from the Harlem and Washington
Heights. The children are also offered
skating clinics and free skate rentals for those who do not own their
own skates. Seniors from the neighborhoods are also invited to
attend,
and they thoroughly enjoy watching the show and the youngsters learn
from the
Ice Theatre troupe. For many participants, this is their first time
on skates. Schools must register with Riverbank State Park. Call the Ice Theatre office to obtain an application - (212) 929-5811.
Photos - 2007 season
Photos - April 6, 2006
2006 FREE CONCERT SERIES AT THE RINK AT ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
ITNY's 20th performance year at the world’s most famous rink, The Rink
at Rockefeller Plaza, provided New Yorkers with three outstanding
lunchtime concerts. This matinee concert series was designed to expose
the Company to a large, diverse audience that included tourists, local
employees, skaters, dancers and other New Yorkers bustling around
Rockefeller Center. The Rockefeller Plaza Series is one of just a
few free performing arts presentations in NYC during the winter.
Photos - March 2006