The Works’ arts-in-education programs seek to introduce New York City school students and other deserving youth to dance and the power of creativity in everyday life, with professional dance artists providing students with tools that foster a deep and lifelong engagement in the arts. These programs reach over 4,000 students throughout the Bronx and Manhattan each year.

Faces of Wonder is a two-phase program, that begins with a 45-minute lecture-demonstration and student/artist discussion on-site in participating schools, led by The Works’ professional company members. The program culminates with a professional dance performance at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture in the Bronx. Focusing on the relevance and expressive range of dance, and the discipline and vision of the life of an artist, Faces of Wonder in-school activities stress the importance of a creative outlet or passion and the practice and determination needed to succeed. The final performance is performed by The Works’ dancers, and provides inner-city school children the opportunity to see live professional dance on stage, with all of its attendant production values. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to reflect on and discuss their experiences through questionnaires, journals, letter and pictures, which, along with feedback from teachers and principals, provide valuable insight for evaluation purposes.

The Works’ visits 14 schools each year with Faces of Wonder, all over New York City. The company’s objectives are to waken students’ interests in the arts and contemporary dance, not just as future artists but as the next generation of audiences and to communicate a respect for all people, reflected in The Work’s cross-cultural membership.

They will come to perform at our school sometime in the winter months.