Carnegie Hall celebrated two weeks of arts and fun during the month of July as the 32nd annual Kids’ College program took place July 7-18, hosting 216 campers from 10 counties in WV and 11 other states, including California, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, North and South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
Students enjoyed selecting up to five separate classes per day, and participated in many different art forms and sciences, such as watercolors, astronomy, archaeology, metalsmithing, leatherworking, mosaics, cooking and kaleidoscope making. At the end of each week’s program, families and friends were invited to an Arts Showcase, where performing arts students had the opportunity to demonstrate their hard work on stage, and the visual arts projects were displayed in a curated exhibition.
Demonstrations were presented for music, movement, drumming, drama, tie dye and fencing, as well as a Superhero Cape fashion show.
Speaking about this year’s program, Education Director Harmony Flora stated that “Carnegie Hall’s Kids’ College program isn’t just about having fun and making art-it’s about connection. Our campers collaborated while they painted, danced, built, and dreamed – and totally blew us away with their creativity, and that energy rippled out into the whole community. Parents, teaching artists, volunteers, neighbors, everyone felt it. When young people are given the space to express themselves in an accepting and encouraging environment, they inspire us all. That’s the real power of Kids’ College.”
Planning is already underway for next year’s Kids’ College Program to be held July 6-10 and 13-17, 2026, with registration opening in early May.
Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Fantasy Gala. The Hall is located at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg.
