Arts Integration keeps families coming back to PS 15 in Red Hook
PS 15 has always embraced the natural creative impulse of children and has put arts integration at the center of its approach to teaching and learning.
The school has historically served families who come from one of the largest housing projects in New York City with over 90% of students eligible for free lunch and 35% of students with special needs. However, the opening of Fairway, IKEA and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal have increased real estate value in the area, forcing many long-term residents out of Red Hook because of rent hikes. This, along with the opening of a new charter school that shares their same building, has caused Principal Wyns-Madison to rethink how she was going to keep families coming back to a neighborhood public school. 
“We responded to the most powerful voice in the room – our parents,” Principal Wyns-Madison wrote in a recent proposal to bring more arts programs to PS 15. Two years ago, Marquis Studios’ Creative Movement Residency played a major role in the expansion of the PS 15 early childhood program. This year parents continued to advocate for outstanding arts programs that enhance learning and support other core subject areas. 
This Fall, thanks to generous funding from JP Morgan, the African Marketplace Project is underway in four 3rd Grade Classrooms at PS 15. The project is a unique residency that couples hands on art making and study of African art and culture with lessons in entrepreneurship, social responsibility and micro-finance.
Also, responding to increased parent interest in foreign language programs, the Kornfeld Foundation has funded Dual Language (Spanish-English) Music and Rhythm Residencies. PS 15 is an ideal launch site for this program because of it’s incredibly diverse student population and rapid increase in English Language Learners. This new offering is a joint venture by Marquis Studios and the Brooklyn Arts Council and will serve all PreK and Kindergarten students at PS 15. (Click image below for a video on our Music Residencies)
Cross-curricular programs such as the African Marketplace and Dual-Language Music maximize the potential for the arts to be a powerful point of access for the more than of half of PS 15 students who perform below grade level. Principal Wyns-Madison is proud that the these unique opportunities in the arts have not only raised student achievement and helped the school reach their enrollment goals, but also celebrate the creative talents of PS 15 students.
Announcement: New Board Chair Dorothy Devlin
 After years of inspiring service from Pamela Muller, Dorothy Devlin will take the position of Board Chair at Marquis Studios. Everyone in the Marquis Studios family is so grateful for Pamela’s work through the years and we are delighted to welcome Dorothy into her new role.
Dorothy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Dunbarton College, and a degree in Special Education from Hofstra University. She is also a member of the Women’s President Organization. Her professional experience includes public relations work for Bloomingdales, Vice President of Jim Sant’ Andrea Inc., Vice President of Client Services at Aniforms and, Executive Vice President at Gindick Productions. In 1990 Dorothy founded DEVLINHAIR Productions, a successful large scale events production company. We know Dorothy will bring an unstoppable commitment to service, her passion for extraordinary creativity and a keen understanding of Special Education to her role Board Chair of Directors of Marquis Studios.
Make sure you check out our Website! Please contact us anytime with questions about our programs or to schedule a school visit!
David Marquis, Executive Director
Marquis Studios
45 Main Street, Suite 616
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 694 – 9400
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Please consider making a contribution to Marquis Studios this holiday season. A tax deductible donation of just $10 will go directly to our art education programs in high needs public schools throughout NYC.
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