Summer Arts Program Logo

About the Summer Arts Program

At BAX, we foster creativity and encourage playful exploration in a positive and nurturing environment. Our Summer Arts Program (SAP) draws from our year-round education programs to provide young artists with opportunities to explore different forms of mixed media art and performance around a specific themed week thoughtfully designed for active and fun engagement. Arts Specialists teach daily workshops, while a well-trained, creative staff supports a healthy balance of fun indoor (at the BAX Building in spacious, well ventilated studios) and outdoor (at the Old Stone House in Washington Park/JJ Byrne Playground) play, performance, and art-making activities. At the end of each week, families are sent a unique web page that features photos and videos of each day’s activities.

Program Groups & Ages

Children entering Kindergarten through 5th grade participate in two different groups, organized by age: NanoBAXers (rising K to 2nd graders) and MegaBAXers (rising 3rd to 5th graders).

About the NanoBAXers (K-2nd)

NanoBAXers (rising K to 2nd graders) explore a variety of performing arts disciplines, with a different discipline workshop each day, and engage in dynamic visual art workshops that build over the course of the week. The Nano staff members are selected for their understanding of the unique needs of our youngest artists, and special attention is paid to community building and collaboration in the daily schedule of activities, games, and time for small group play. The Nano week ends with a celebration of that week’s exploratory theme as part of a Friday afternoon Gallery Sharing for the Megas.

About the MegaBAXers (3rd-5th)

MegaBAXers (rising 2rd to 5th graders) focus on one performing arts discipline each week, while engaging in a diverse span of creative activities, community centered games, and visual art practices throughout the day. On Fridays, the Mega experience culminates in a performance for the Nanos that showcases their skills built over the week, with a special emphasis placed on their unique creative choices and voice as individual artists.

Register by Week

Week 1:
July 11-15

Exploratory Theme

NEIGHBOR-WORLDS
Travel the world without leaving the neighborhood! With imagination, story, and song, we will explore the worlds within our neighborhood, community, and selves.

Nano Disciplies: Music, Dance, Drama, and Tumbling
Mega Discipline: Music

NanoBAXers

MegaBAXers

Week 2:
July 18-22

Exploratory Theme

SENSORY SAFARI
Sharpen those senses! We’re going on an unforgettable exploration of the natural world around us with our senses as our guides.

Nano Disciplines: Music, Dance, Drama, and Tumbling
Mega Discipline: Circus

NanoBAXers

MegaBAXers

Week 3:
July 25-29

Exploratory Theme

MAPPING MY WAY
Find the path as unique as you are! We will chart the course to our dreams and destinations, real and imagined.

Nano Disciplines: Music, Dance, Drama, and Tumbling
Mega Discipline: Dance

NanoBAXers

MegaBAXers

Week 4:
August 1-5

Exploratory Theme

UPSIDEOUT & INSIDEDOWN
Play with perspective! We will experiment with shape, space, and stories to experience the familiar in new ways.

Nano Disciplines: Music, Dance, Drama, and Tumbling
Mega Discipline: Tumbling

NanoBAXers

MegaBAXers

Week 5:
August 8-12

Exploratory Theme

FUTURE LEGENDS
Who are the people of our time that will become the legends of tomorrow? Through imaginative storytelling and inventive art-making we will explore the adventures and heroes of today!

Nano Disciplines: Music, Dance, Drama, and Tumbling
Mega Discipline: Drama

NanoBAXers

MegaBAXers

Program Hours & Extended Day

  • 8:30-9:00am Drop Off
  • 9:00am-3:00pm Main Program
  • 3:00-5:30pm Optional Extended Day Add-On 

BAX Extended Day is available for an additional fee for families who need additional caretaking coverage until 5:30pm. In Extended Day, children have time for free play, small group activities, visual arts, and snack. For those enrolled in Extended Day, pick up can happen anytime between 3:00-5:30pm.

Sample SAP Day - NanoBAXers (K-2nd)

NanoBAXer Sample Day

8:30am – Drop Off
9:00am – Morning Meeting
9:30am – Leave for Park
10:00am – Snack
10:15am – Outdoor Games
10:45am – Performing Arts Workshop
11:30am – Water Play Time
12:00pm – Lunch
12:30pm – Transition back to BAX
1:00pm – Indoor Activities
1:30pm – Visual Arts Workshop
2:30pm – End of Day Sharing with Megas
3:00pm  – Dismissal

Sample SAP Day - MegaBAXers (3rd-5th)

MegaBAXer Sample Day 

8:30am – Drop Off
9:00am – Morning Meeting
9:30am – Performing Arts Workshop 
10:30am – Snack
10:45am – Leave for Park 
11:15am – Outdoor Activities 
11:45am – Water Play Time & Games
12:30pm – Lunch
1:00pm – Transition back to BAX 
1:30pm – Visual Arts Workshop
2:30pm – End of Day Sharing with Nanos
3:00pm  – Dismissal 

COVID Safety & Community Caretaking

The below information will serve as a guide of BAX’s Covid-related safety protocols for 2022 School Breaks Season. Please take the time to read through it in its entirety to help us keep you and all of our community members safe. Questions? Feel free to email ashley@bax.org

Click here to read our COVID Safety Plan

BAX’s School Breaks Programs will split the programming day between indoor studio time (spacious and well ventilated studios) and outdoor park program (JJ Byrne Park). In case of extreme weather (a “feels like” of 100+, under 30 degree weather, or severe rain), BAX will adjust the outdoor time to be predominantly indoors. BAX will utilize open windows, air purifiers, and AC ventilation, as necessary to maintain healthy and CDC recommended air-flow.  

COMMUNITY COMMITMENTS 

  • Vaccination Requirement (ages 5+)
    • New York City’s Key to NYC and its masking and vaccination requirements have officially been lifted as of March 7, 2022.  However, due to the intergenerational nature of our space and the fact that currently enrolled families registered under the Key to NYC vaccine and mask-wearing mandate, BAX is choosing to keep both our vaccination and masking requirements in place until specified otherwise. 

      As of June 20, 2022 – following the approval of vaccinations for our youngest community members – BAX will ask that all children entering our space be able to show vaccination documentation by or before August 1st, 2022.  If you cannot reasonably meet this due date, or have other concerns, please reach out to us. 

    • You can submit proof of vaccination for your child online here, prior to your child’s first day in the School Breaks program. 
  • Children must be tested for COVID-19 prior to their first day of each program (Spring Break and Summer), and documentation of the negative result must be provided to BAX before or at drop off on Monday, or the child’s first program day. A PCR test from the last 72 hours or a Rapid test (including home test) from the past 24 hours will be accepted. Should this policy change due to a decrease in public transmission, this will be communicated via email two weeks before the start of the program. If you need support finding free testing locations, please contact BAX Education (ashley@bax.org)  and we will assist you.
  • If a child begins to feel unwell (and in particular if they have a fever) during program hours, we will contact the parent/guardian so that the child can be picked up immediately. We will have the child wait in an isolated, supervised space at the BAX Building until they are picked up. 
  • If a child leaves the program because of an illness that includes any covid-symptom (see above), they will need to show proof of a negative COVID test before returning. 
  • Masks (include recommended or required types) will be worn at all times while indoors during the program, except when eating and drinking. If children need a brief “mask break” staff will be prepared to help them do this. Masks will be optional while children are outside as part of the program. 

STAFF EXPECTATIONS

All School Breaks direct program staff (Group Leaders, Teaching Artists, Counselors, and BAX Admin Staff)…

  • Are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. 
  • Will comply with all stated Community Commitments including testing, health screenings, mask, travel, and following of national, state, and city guidelines. 

A program phone and number will be shared with enrolled families so that they can contact the Group Leader and vice versa in case of emergency at any time during the program, including when the groups are outside. 

To view BAX’s full COVID-19 policies and updates, please visit: https://www.bax.org/covid-updates/.

What to Wear & What to Pack List

What to Wear:

  • Mask (K95, KN95, or a surgical mask under a cloth mask is recommended) 
  • Sunscreen  
  • Comfortable clothes to move in 
  • Comfortable, close toed shoes that can get wet (if planning to participate in water play at park)  

What to Pack: 

  • Backpack with:  
    • Snacks and Lunch in an Insulated Lunch Box or Bag 
    • Reusable Water Bottle
    • Swimsuit (if planning to participate in water play at park) 
    • Extra Sunscreen (spray preferable)
    • Extra change of clothing 
    • Extra Mask
    • Personal Hand Sanitizer 
  • Sun Hat/Baseball caps are encouraged 
  • Towel