Young Audiences Honor Riesenberg & Ellerbee
Young Audiences/New York (YA/NY), a pioneer in creating innovative arts education programs integrating the arts and education for New York City public school students, will host its annual Children’s Arts Medal Benefit at the Metropolitan Pavilion on Monday, April 7, 2003. YA/NY will present the 2003 Children’s Arts Medals honoring two exceptional advocates of the arts and arts education, Robert Riesenberg, Executive Vice President and Director of MAGNA Global Entertainment and Linda Ellerbee, journalist, author and award-winning television producer.
“I feel honored to be part of a cause which has affected me personally,” said one of this year’s honorees, Robert Riesenberg. “Growing up, I was always participating in the arts and I am greatly appreciative of the ways it has influenced my life.”
“I feel strongly that every child should be introduced to the arts,” said Linda Ellerbee, one of this year’s Children’s Arts Medal recipients. “As a longtime producer of children’s specials and a weekly newsmagazine for kids—Nick News with Nickelodeon—I am convinced that engagement in the arts at an early age positively affects children.”
“We are delighted to honor two such important advocates of arts education in New York City, Robert Riesenberg and Linda Ellerbee,” said YA/NY Executive Director, Joanne Bernstein-Cohen. “Last year we worked with more than 200,000 young people, teachers and families in the New York City public schools with more than 10,000 workshops and performance programs by professional artists together with classroom teachers. With funds that we raise at this benefit, we look forward to augmenting our work in public schools in 2003 and beyond.”
Young Audiences/New York advances the artistic and educational development of New York City’s public school students by bringing students together with professional artists of all disciplines to learn, create and participate in the arts.#