We began Kids at the Dairy with the goals of increasing arts education opportunities for students from TitleI schools in the Boulder Valley School District, upsurging literacy for students and providing no-cost access to arts education experiences. A Title I school has a low-income population of over 40%, which is determined by the free and reduced lunch program. The Kids at the Dairy program is entirely underwritten, including transportation, so that there is no cost to the schools and students participating. We are proud to say that our program has served over 2,000 Title I kindergarten students annually through over 40 programming days, and collaboration with many local artists and arts organizations since 2014. Over the years, we have grown the program to include more schools, expanding our reach to nine schools in 2019. The impact of our program can be heard through the words of the parents and teachers, “this was a once in a lifetime, unforgettable experience for the little ones.” 

Due to the ongoing pandemic and necessary closure of our theaters, our 2020 programming has shifted from an in-person field trip experience to online presentations and instruction. But with challenges, also arise opportunities. With an online presence, our reach can be much wider. This year we are preparing programming for multiple grade levels and many more students, now possible through virtual access.

The year-long program begins with a language arts storytelling unit. From there, subsequent units will explore how various art forms can tell stories using color, line, lyrics, shapes, composition, and harmonies to set mood, character, and plot development.

For the visual arts component, we will feature artists and CU Boulder MFA Candidate Mikey Yates. Mikey Yates makes autobiographical paintings about his personal mythology and the story of his family.  Working from family photos, home video stills, and imagination, his pictures are concerned with sincerity and explore cultural identity through the lens of experiences as opposed to cultural identity based on borders. Mikey’s aim is to see himself represented in painting and contribute to the multi-faceted dialogue of the contemporary Filipino-American experience. 

Our curriculum will revolve around the broad idea of a story, using The Dairy’s wide-reaching net of multidisciplinary art forms to explore one element of a story through the chosen art form. 

The visual arts component will primarily focus on character, explored through the use of self-portraiture and identity within a space, chosen clothing, and facial expression. Yates’ experience pulling from his own space through representative objects or actions between two characters is a great starting point for students to speak about the objects that are found within their own spaces, as well as the individuals they find themselves living with, even more, prevalent in times of COVID quarantine. 

The music component will feature short performances and dialogues with local jazz singing legend, Hazel Miller, together with the phenomenal 14-year old singer/songwriter, Julia Kirkwood. Together Miller and Kirkwood will focus on how the meaning of lyrics and storytelling are shaped by melodies, harmonies, and rhythm. Kirkwood will share her personal experience about the first compositions she created at age 4 and how she has developed over the past 10 years. This unit also includes basic songwriting instruction for older students.

Please consider donating to the Kids at the Dairy again this year, and help us produce this new and exciting form of our successful educational programming. Our goal is to reach $20,000 through this fundraiser, and we are grateful for all the help we receive!