Arts Learning

A Christina-operated program enrolling income-eligible 4-year-olds in a full-day pre-school. Quality early education establishes a solid foundation for academic and personal success. We believe all children reach their highest potential when nurtured by active parents and effective teachers who believe each child can excel. The program connects learning through the arts with literacy, social skills, health and wellness. Guided by Head Start standards, the program is funded in part by the DE Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP) and Purchase of Care. A Parent Policy Council oversees the Academy and includes a Fatherhood Initiative. Applications are accepted March-June annually.

Christina Cultural Arts Center chairs this committee, which promotes Kindergarten readiness sponsored in part by the Delaware Office of Early Learning. The Center City Readiness Team is comprised of 27 partner organizations, parents and community residents.

This program provides professional development for public school educators and teaching artists to develop their ability to integrate arts learning into Common Core Standards. By establishing clear and practical connections between Common Core Academic Standards and Visual/Performing Arts Standards, teachers develop a tool kit to make Arts experiences a natural pathway in daily learning. The Institute also provides direct arts instruction in both in-school and after-school settings.

For the adventurous in search of life-changing experiences, Christina presents local, regional and internationally renowned artists in contemporary and risk-taking new work. Our stage has been graced by Grammy award-winning artists Snarky Puppy, Gregory Porter, saxophonist Grace Kelly, Ben Williams, Gerald Clayton and others made possible in part by the Delaware Division of the Arts, and the Jazz Touring Network of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, a program of the National Endowment of the Arts.

The Future Entrepreneurs in Creative Industries Program (FECIIP) is a ground-breaking opportunity for high school age youth residing in the City of Wilmington and New Castle County. Internships at various businesses, non-profit and faith-based organizations offer paid work experiences that make real connections between academic studies and career exploration.

The program prepares youth for entry-level positions as well as for entrepreneurial ventures and provides guidance on determining post-secondary plans. Youth are provided with workforce skills training in monthly workshops and personal counseling to help them meet their responsibilities. They benefit from structured employment during "out of school" time, acquire workforce skills, and are mentored by career professionals. Participants are paid $10.00/hour and work an average of 15 hours weekly over 20 weeks during the school year. At the conclusion of the 20-week session, high school participants have earned income and completed a meaningful work experience related to their career interests.

Wilmington young people are capable, competent, confident emerging leaders. In this program, high school interns thrive from leadership development and on-the-job training under the guidance of professional mentors. Youth select an area of interest and gain useful experience in design, media communications, education, health & wellness, science, technology, library science, museum studies, conservation, and community development. Internships assist in preparing students for post-secondary training, college, and careers.

Student Eligibility

Youth ages 16-22 are eligible.

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This youth violence prevention program utilizes Urban Improv - an evidence-based, interactive school drama curriculum. Art, emotional literacy and yoga/mindfulness are designed to impact three outcomes: aggressive and externalizing behaviors; pro-social behavior and self-control; academic focus and school engagement. Sevety-five youth, ages 10-15, are enrolled in weekly residencies during the school day in four high-needs urban schools. An additional 50 youth attend after-school programs at Christina and Reeds Refuge Performing Arts Center. Students participate in a 4-day weekly schedule of creative activities of their choice in music, dance or visual art. This program is funded through the Delaware Criminal Justice Council by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families, Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health.

Over the last three years, Wilmington Renaissance Corporation (WRC) has been working with partners — the City of Wilmington, Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware, Christina Cultural Arts Center, Wilmington Housing Partnership, Quaker Hill Neighborhood Association, the United Way of Delaware and others — to develop a Creative District in the Downtown/Quaker Hill/West Center City neighborhood.

The goal of Wilmington’s Creative District is to be the city’s Creative Center focused on both Creative Production and Consumption, where local creative entrepreneurs (artists, musicians, designers, makers, manufacturers) and residents thrive and locally designed goods and original works are made and sold.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Christina Cultural Arts Center. Professionals in legal, financial, technical, marketing, creative, corporate and educational fields serve as board directors. Volunteer opportunities for youth and adults from diverse backgrounds are available for assistance with cultural events, tutoring, marketing, fundraising and office support.