Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center

Arts Academy

About the Arts Academy

From engaging Family Friendly entertainment, to curriculum-based School Day Performances from around the world, to nurturing, skill-based Performing Arts Camps, to innovative Classes and Workshops, the WHBPAC remains committed to providing young people with opportunities to fall in love with the arts and discover the joy of live performance and its capacity to build community.  Our goal is to ignite the creative spirit in young people, spark a love of learning, and reinforce important life skills through the arts.

What We Offer

WHBPAC began offering youth-centered performances when it first opened its doors, and the continued growth of this program has transformed WHBPAC into one of the premier performing arts education providers in the region.  Today, in addition to thriving School Day Bus-in performances, the WHBPAC provides a wide variety of year-round performing arts opportunities.  In one year, over 600 students will participate in after school classes, summer camps—or both! We are a thriving year round academy for the arts, producing our own full-length productions for all ages!  

Why Performing Arts for Youth

Here at the WHBPAC, we believe that children must have exposure to live performances and other artistic disciplines in order to be truly prepared for the future they face. The children we are raising now will inherit a world that we can only imagine. We can best prepare them for the new opportunities and challenges ahead by giving them the skills they need to be creative thinkers and problem-solvers. Numerous studies have indicated that training in the arts helps children think more creatively and integrate learning across disciplinary and situational lines. When you bring the arts into children’s lives, you give them new ways to see the world, you nurture their imaginations, and you teach them to value creativity as an intrinsic part of life. As audience members, children can discover the magic and the transformative powers of the arts; as participants, they can learn skills and awaken their talents in a place where teamwork, self-esteem, problem-solving and creativity are encouraged and developed.  Every child should have the opportunity to learn and grow through the arts!

Mission

To empower, engage, and educate youth and adults through high-quality, transformative performing arts and storytelling experiences.

To cultivate creative expression, empathy, and confidence in all students – regardless of socioeconomic background, race, gender, or sexual identity. To build a nurturing and strong community within the WHBPAC walls and beyond.

Vision

To create better artists and better humans through the power of the performing arts.

Values

  • Accessibility
  • Community
  • Engagement
  • Excellence
  • Fun