Arts and Cultural Education

The Erie 1 BOCES Arts in Education (AIE) service provides opportunities for component districts to access diverse arts resources for their educators and students. These opportunities allow students to explore different cultural areas of interest in Western New York, while never leaving their classrooms. Partners have a number of different presentations for students. One may include a traveling trunk filled with artifacts, where another might include an art performance.

The Exploratory Enrichment program allows students to visit areas of cultural significance in the area for a first hand learning experience that ties in with the Next Generation learning standards. With some of our partners, Erie 1 BOCES staff developers can help support students and staff in a 4 day experience, both on-site and in the classroom for students to experience collaborative intensive learning, using Model Schools days. Partners with the Exploratory Enrichment program span a wide variety of curriculum areas and Erie 1 BOCES is happy to help teachers identify the best program for their students.

Our K-12 Camp shows, school assembly programs, summer programs, school shows, cultural enrichment programs and lyceums are unique, entertaining and educational. In alternative words, our school assemblies are exceptional!

We take the worry and hassle out of bringing the best school assembly programs, Virtual Summer Camp Shows, Virtual shows, summer camp shows, school assemblies, red ribbon assemblies, school shows, assemblies, cultural enrichment programs, and lyceums to your school. We specialize in finding the very best in quality, educational entertainment for each category of school assembly programs, summer camp show, school show, school assemblies, lyceum, and cultural enrichment program. We bring our school assemblies right to your school.

 The Aquarium of Niagara collaborates with educators, community partners, and other institutions to meet the goal of connecting people to nature, promoting the conservation of aquatic life and ecosystems, and developing stewardship of natural resources. We welcome visits, outreach requests, curriculum integration collaborations, and student mentoring and advising opportunities from teachers, schools, school districts, youth programs, and any organization engaged in environmental education across the Western New York region. Established programs offered are listed below and the Aquarium Education Department is in the process of expanding and broadening the content and opportunities we offer. 

 The future Buffalo AKG Art Museum is scheduled to open during the first half of 2023. Our vision is to flourish as an exceptional hub of artistic and creative energies that enriches and transforms people’s lives in our community, our nation, and the world. We strive for excellence, innovation, and sustainability in everything we do.

Our Learning and Creativity Department is made up of a dedicated team of museum educators and volunteers and offers a variety of public programs for audiences of all ages and abilities, including adults, teens, families, children, veterans, school groups, and visitors with disabilities. We partner with organizations across Western New York to engage visitors both within and outside the museum through programming and interpretation inspired by the museum’s collection and special exhibitions, including studio classes, talks, tours, mobile art initiatives, and more.

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens Society, Inc. (the Society) is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization with a mission to inspire curiosity and connect people to the natural world through its historic living museum. The Botanical Gardens is a national historic site, education center and tourist destination full of exotic horticulture treasures from around the world. Visitors enjoy the amazing architecture and the indoor and outdoor garden sanctuaries. It is a gathering place where visitors can find peace and harmony and enjoy the simple power of the natural world. Some visitors also see it as a place for spiritual healing, meditation and reflection. 

The Buffalo History Museum has been Western New York's premier historical organization since 1862. We are the keepers of the authentic stories that make our community unique. Our collections, exhibits, and programs tell the stories of the people, events, and movements that demonstrate Western New York's essential place in shaping American history.

The BPO is proud to present educational programming that is developed with the assistance of music teachers and curriculum writers. The BPO Music for Youth Concert series offers educational concerts during the school day to introduce students to the best orchestral repertoire, with a focus on music learning concepts being taught in the classroom, and active participation through interactive program elements for students in Grades 1-8. Full-length (2 hour) BPO concerts on Friday mornings give students in Grades 7-12 a chance to hear complete pieces of repertoire in a casual atmosphere. To view all Music for Youth concert opportunities, please visit education.bpo.org.

BPO Teaching Artists bring unique arts engagement into your classroom through the dynamism of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's professional musicians. Presentations feature interactive music learning opportunities and authentic connections between music and other areas of learning, with an emphasis on artistic excellence and can meet varied classroom learning objectives. Your BPO understands the importance of arts engagement in developing creative thinkers and innovators who value learning over a lifetime. The BPO offers Classroom Programs that explore arts learning through movement activities, active listening and authentic connections between music and other areas of study. These musician-developed programs bring a unique perspective and a wealth of beautiful music to concepts you are teaching in your classroom. Programs can be adapted for your needs and specific age groups, Are you looking for a guest artist to work in-depth with your instrumental music students on repertoire, music fundamentals, instrument-specific techniques, performance techniques or even to speak on career readiness? Our musicians can work with your band, orchestra or instrumental section on individual and ensemble music proficiency. Choose an artist from your preferred instrument family and bring an expert into your music room to inspire the best from your students through the BPO's Workshop, Clinic, and Residency offerings. Explore all Teaching Artist programs at bpo.org/teaching-artists.

The Buffalo Zoo's Education team is here to provide your students with a WILD educational experience! Whether you're looking for a virtual program that will take you inside some of our animal exhibits, a presentation to enhance your Zoo field trip, or the Zoomobile to bring the Zoo to You, we can meet your group's learning needs. There are so many topics to choose from, including unique habitats, amazing adaptations, conservation, and so much more!  

An educational children’s museum for ages 1-10! 

The Foundry is an active, community-based makerspace committed to regularly programming afterschool arts, STEAM and entrepreneurship sessions for youth; workforce development opportunities for young adults; hands-on classes for adults; and providing local entrepreneurs space and support for developing maker-based businesses. 

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, operated by the Carousel Society of the Niagara Frontier, is a premier national historic site and community resource for family recreation and learning that fosters an appreciation for the unique heritage of the carousel and related industries in the Niagara Region.
Through educational, cultural, and recreational programming, visitors will experience the places, people, stories and artifacts associated with the production of carousels, band organs and amusement devices. 

Former Children's Poet Laureate (2013-15) Kenn Nesbitt is the author of more than 25 books for kids, including "My Cat Knows Karate," "Revenge of the Lunch Ladies," and many others. His poems have appeared in numerous bestselling anthologies, including every book in the popular "Kids Pick the Funniest Poems" series. His work has been published in hundreds of school textbooks and children's magazines around the world. Kenn visits scores of schools each year, sharing his wacky brand of poetry with kids nationwide, and helping to create a new generation of poetry lovers. His website, poetry4kids.com, is the most visited children's poetry website on the Internet. 

Stitch Buffalo is a textile art center committed to: empowering refugee and immigrant women through the sale of their handcrafted goods, inspiring creativity and inclusion through community education, and stewarding the environment through the re-use of textile supplies.

The WNY Book Art Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of printmaking and the art & craft of the book. Our downtown location features an artist workspace, residency and exhibition programs, youth & adult education programs, a community-accessible print studio, and a retail artisan market. Onsite and within our community, in-person and virtually, Book Arts provides opportunities for artists, youths and community members to participate in a range of creative activities.