La Casita’s Community Programs focus on visual and performance arts, bilingual literacy, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Programs also use creative expression and mindfulness as a way to work through issues of mental and emotional distress, wellness and self-care among other areas of our children’s and families’ daily lives.
All programs are for ages 6+. Register by contacting La Casita at lacasita@syr.edu.
Youth Programs at La Casita
Mi Música
La Banda is a youth music ensemble at La Casita that provides young people with opportunities to learn, practice, and perform music in a collaborative and supportive environment. During the summer, Banda La Casita also takes part in a community tour, performing at different events and venues throughout Syracuse, giving young musicians the opportunity to share their music with the community and gain valuable live performance experience.
Violin Lessons: Interested in playing the violin? Join our weekly violin lessons where you will be able to learn, play, and enjoy the violin! The program is taught by guest musicians from various Syracuse-based music education programs.
Guitar Lessons: A weekly group workshop where participants learn the basics of guitar. Guitars are provided. Guitar lessons are 20 min long.
Piano Lessons: For youth interested in learning to play the piano. Lessons are taught in groups of two. Piano lessons are 30 minutes long.
Performing Arts
Theater Workshop is a fun space for youth to explore acting through improv games, movement, and teamwork. This unique collaboration between La Casita, El Punto Art Studio, and Syracuse Stage creates a space where creativity, culture, and youth voices come together.
DANZA is a weekly dance workshop. Participants in this program enjoy the rhythm and beat of Latin music and dance!
Visual Arts
Open Studio is an art-making workshop where participants can create art using a variety of materials provided by La Casita.
Storytelling is a weekly group workshop that celebrates the art of sharing stories as a way to enhance literacy and language skills. This interdisciplinary program explores storytelling through a variety of creative lenses — including comic books, animation, music, geography, and acting. Each session highlights the power and importance of stories in connecting us all.
STEAM: A science-based program led by members of the Syracuse University Information Technology Experience (S.U.I.T.E.). Participants work on projects and experiments exploring computer science, technology, engineering, and math
Adult Programs
Arts as Mindfulness
A weekly program for adults to enjoy a space for self-reflection, developing creative expressions, and exploring emotions.
The story of us: writing program
This project is a multilingual writing workshop series for the Spanish and English-speaking community at the La Casita Cultural Center. These workshops are designed to foster healing by exploring family narratives, specifically focusing on the complexities of mothering.
For more information about the programs being offered this semester, please contact:
Bennie Guzman, Programming Coordinator
bguzma01@syr.edu
To enroll in La Casita’s community programs, please contact:
Santos Ciriaco, Community Engagement Coordinator
sjciriac@syr.edu