SPAC Education Celebrates Success; Malta Ave Kids Perform at Venue

35 students from Malta Ave Elementary performed at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s annual meeting on May 16. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) celebrated recent education initiatives during its annual meeting on the amphitheater stage on May 16. The event was followed by a spirited performance of Des’ree’s hit song “You Gotta Be” by dozens of Malta Ave Elementary students.

Dennis Moench, Vice President of Education at SPAC, said that educational programming in 2023 reached an estimated 50,000 kids, in partnership with more than 120 local schools and nonprofits.

Last year, SPAC launched its “Access the Arts” program, which provides weekly dance, music, and improvisational theater classes to individuals enrolled in day habilitation programs. The program culminated with a performance featuring more than 100 participants on May 1 in the Spa Little Theater.

“We provide avenues for emotional expression, self discovery, social connection, cognitive development, stress reduction, and empowerment,” Moench said. “We believe that all individuals should have access to these benefits.”

Beginning at 2 p.m. on June 2, SPAC will host the seventh annual Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists, a free event featuring fine art displays, poetry slams, and food stands. At 4:30 p.m., hundreds of kids will present a concert on the amphitheater stage with productions that combine music, song, poetry, visual art, and dance.