Berkshire Visual & Performing Arts Program

Available Fall 2012 at CIP Berkshire - Lee, Massachusetts

CIP now offers unique new curriculum focusing on creative and educational development in the visual and performing arts fields for young adults with Asperger's, Autism, ADHD, and other Learning Differences.

Students have the option of participating in the Visual and Performing Arts Program while enrolled in CIP Berkshire's comprehensive full-year program in Lee, Massachusetts.

Goals of this new and exciting program:

• Provide an outlet for creative interests and expression
• Provide practical skill building and experience through the arts
• Integration of CIP core curriculum such as executive functioning and social thinking
• Gainful experience in the creative visual and performing arts fields

Integration with the Berkshire Visual & Performing Arts Center

CIP's Good Purpose Gallery and Spectrum Playhouse are professional venues that exist to offer students real-life training, experience and integration with the community. Both venues host professional artists and events on a regular basis throughout the year, including student events such as plays, performances, art exhibits, and more. CIP students interact with and receive instruction from professionals working in the field. In addition, CIP's Joyous Studios is an artist in residence training program and offers studio space for the visual arts.

Visual and Performing Arts Program Curriculum

CIP Berkshire's Visual and Performing Arts Program offers small group classes aimed at training and educating students for a range of opportunities in creative arts fields. Students will build upon the basics such as art and theater history and portfolios to more technical classes such as stage design, costuming, and independent studies. All students will pursue internships and jobs in a related field, gaining employment skills and experience and building their portfolios and resumes. In addition, students will receive career-based classes from the C-STEP program supporting their internships and jobs.

Examples of classes include:

Visual Arts

• Intro to the Visual and Performing Arts
• Print Materials
• Studio Art Technique
• Animation
• Photography & Photoshop

Performing Arts

• Acting for the Stage I
• Puppetry
• Show Design
• Movement/Dance

Electives

• Glee Club
• Drama Club
• Mask Making
• Playwriting
• Drumming
• Independent Study

Integration with CIP's Core Curriculum

CIP's comprehensive curriculum, offered at different levels of support, offers individualized social, academic, career, and life skills instruction for students enrolled in the program. These core services tie-in directly with the Berkshire Visual & Performing Arts Program services, strengthening core competencies such as social skills, executive functioning, health and wellness, career supports and more. CIP's core curriuculum serves as the foundation for students success in the program and in leading happy and productive lives thereafter.

Cultural Venues in the Berkshires

The Berkshires is located in Western Massachusetts and is about 150 miles away from Boston and New York City. Home to many venues including Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Tanglewood, Shakespeare and Company, students have the opportunity to participate in as well as enjoy the arts in a safe a comfortable environment. Living in the Berkshires offers real opportunities for experience at a number of nationally recognized cultural arts venues.