Welcome to the 2018 Spring Semester of the Arts In New York City! In this course, we will explore a plethora of arts venues and expose ourselves to many different types of performances. New York City is a hub where many different types of art and cultures and history meet, and usually students come into the class not having much experience in interacting with the arts, and it is the mission of this class to change that. You will become much more educated and experienced in interacting with the arts. The trips will range from arts museums like The Met, to theater performances like an opera, to a fashion show like The Society, and architectural art, like the High Line.  It is my goal to make you more culturally aware of the diverse and rich history of the arts in New York City, and that you walk away from this class more appreciative and connected to this city than you were before.

 

Event 1 : High Line Winter Tour: From Freight to Flowers

• Saturday, February 3, 2018
• Cost: FREE

Reading(s): Article About High Line

I picked the High Line as the first event because I feel that it truly sets the standard for our thinking process as we progress in the class. A tour will provide the history of the High Line, which will include conflicts between art and social classes, and how art is perceived. This will be an important discussion point, and lays the precedent for our next trip, where a “high art” venue is free and seemingly accessible to all. It might be a little cold, but that could also add to the experience, so students can see how a structure so open and exposed to nature and the population of New York can still be considered “art.”

Event 2 : The Metropolitan Museum

• Monday, February 5, 2018, 1 PM
• Cost: FREE

Reading(s): Making the Most of the MET

I chose The Met because it is an important representation of how art is treated in New York City. The Met has a ticket policy where the visitor pays however much they want, which means that it is supposedly accessible to people from all sorts of financial backgrounds. In addition to this, The Met shows some of the most prestigious exhibitions, and is a brand name of New York City. Taking students to The Met and exploring the environment and art displayed inside this museum will encourage them to think critically about how art is perceived, or is trying to be perceived in NYC.

Event 3 : THE SOCIETY New York Fashion Week

• Sunday, Feb 11, 2018, 10:00 PM
• Cost: FREE

Reading(s): Opinion Article about Child Fashion Models

I chose the SOCIETY New York Fashion Week Show because I think it will be a sharp contrast to how students view fashion. This fashion show consists of child models, and is a very successful event based on past showings. I want students to think about what is considered art, and in this case, is it okay to put an age limit on the expression of art. The show also -obviously – showcases new fashion, and this will give students a chance to form an opinion on the works displayed in the show.

Event 4 : The Armory Show

• Friday, March 9, 2018, 12 PM
• Cost: $35 Group Admission

Reading(s): Armory Website (history/design) , Article / Blurb About Show

The Armory Gallery Show is a art fair responsible for displaying the world’s most important art from the past century. It is an extremely popular art fair, attracting art enthusiasts and celebrities from all over. The gallery being displayed on this date will be showing contemporary art, and I think it will be a great way for students to think critically about how art is transforming and comparing it to the art of the past, which they experienced in The Met.

Event 5 : The Whitney Museum

• STUDENTS GO BY THEMSELVES Wednesday, March 28, 2018 – Tuesday, April 3, 2018
• Cost: Students pay $18 with student discount for General Admission

Reading(s): Explore The Whitney’s website before visiting

I chose the Whitney because it is a very different arts venue from all the other  events that we will be visiting. The Whitney only displays art from living artists, which means that all the art displayed will be very modern and hopefully easier to connect with for the students. I want the students to look at modern art and learn to view what they see around them with the lens of an artist, since the art being displayed was created by artists who did exactly that. The Whitney has a rich history, which I want the students to consider as they explore the exhibitions, so they can see the fruit of that history right before their eyes.

Event 6 : The Phantom of The Opera

• Tuesday, April 10, 2018, 7 PM
• Cost: $29 per student

Reading(s):  Opinion Article on the Musical

I chose this musical because it is a staple of New York City’s art, one that is known nationally, and even globally, and I wanted students to experience a musical while understanding its’ cultural impact. The Phantom of The Opera will hopefully leave the students with a sense of cultural awareness and a stronger connection to how other people perceive NYC.

Event 7 : BEHIND THE SCENES The Rockette’s Rehearsal (imagining that I’m friends with the Director of Radio City Music Hall)

• Wednesday, April 18, 2018, 12 PM
• Cost: FREE

Reading(s): Watch Video About The Rockette’s Preparation for Events

The Rockettes are a symbol of art in New York City. They are well known for their performances and work ethic, and the significance of their work is admired by all of the nation. Getting the chance to sit through one of their rehearsals and watch how they created will be a spectacular way for students to truly appreciate the work that goes into dance, and putting up a good performance.

Event 8 : The Bronx Museum of Arts

• Monday, March 12, 2018, 1 PM
• Cost: FREE

Reading(s): Explore Museum Website 

The Bronx Museum of the Arts is an internationally recognized cultural destination that displays modern art exhibitions. It is an important part of the art of NYC, and it was important for students to experience art in an neighborhood that wouldn’t necessarily be deemed worthy enough of ‘high art.’ I want them to think analytically about who decides what is art, and to take into consideration the type of visitors they see in the museum when they are visiting.

Event 9 : Opéra – Roméo et Juliette

• Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 7:30 PM
• Cost: Paid for by Macaulay

Reading(s): Opera Synopsis , Opera Website

The Opera I chose for the Macaulay requirement was Roméo et Juliette. I chose this because most, if not all, students will be familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet coming into the class, and I want to present them with a different take on the story. The Opera will be in french, which means that they will also see the story displayed in another language, which will encourage them to think about the differences in the presentation of the story based on language barriers. I think it will be a great experience since the class will be familiar enough with the story to not be too confused because of the language difference.