Interested children participate in one-on-one weekly “workshop” sessions in the creative writing program, which began in July of 2005. Creative writing may help children recognize and foster their own voice throughout their lives. Participation in the program may also be therapeutic and will encourage literacy skills.
The focus of the music program is to give emotionally damaged and abused children the opportunity to learn about music and to express themselves through the voice or a variety of musical instruments. Sessions in the music studio are generally one-on-one. The children regularly prepare and present group and individual instrumental and vocal performances. In addition, "Summer Strings" violin classes have been conducted on campus each year since 1999 in conjunction with the Cedar Rapids Symphony.
Expressive Arts Program: Participating in the arts opens
new worlds to all children, but it is especially critical to the emotionally
challenged children who live at Tanager Place. Expressive arts can provide
an opportunity for insight into feelings and conflicts too threatening to
face directly. Working in the safe and nurturing environment of the Art
House or the music studio, these children may be able to resolve difficult
problems through symbolic expression and experience the act of creating and
joy of imagination.
OUR EXPRESSIVE ARTS PROGRAM
INCLUDES:
The Art House provides the opportunity for children to participate in creating art through such mediums as paint, chalk, carbon, clay, papier-mâché and found objects. The Art House utilizes an open-studio approach that enables the children to choose art projects they can accomplish with minimal reliance on the therapist. This enhances self-confidence, decreases dependence and encourages problem-solving techniques.
Involvement in the Expressive Arts Program is completely voluntary.
In FY 08 therapists offered over 2,000 sessions.