Saratoga Performing Arts Center Launches New Accessible Educational Programming and Achieves National Sensory Inclusive Certification at its SPAC School of the Arts
April 28, 2025
Saratoga Performing Arts Center Launches
New Accessible Educational Programming and
Achieves National Sensory Inclusive Certification
at its SPAC School of the Arts
SPAC School of the Arts is one of the only KultureCity®
Sensory Inclusive Certified locations in New York State
New inclusive education programs offer free music, theatre, and dance classes designed for students with a diverse range of learning and support needs
Saratoga Springs, NY (April 28, 2025) — Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) announces that as part of its expanded mission to increase access to the arts for individuals of all ages and abilities, it has achieved the prestigious Sensory Inclusive Certification from KultureCity®, a national nonprofit at the forefront of the inclusivity movement. One of the only certified locations in New York State, SPAC School of the Arts opened in 2021 and is a multi-disciplinary school that provides music, theatre, and dance programming for children and adults. The certification builds on SPAC’s launch of its new “All-Access Nights” and “Access the Arts” education programs, which offer free classes designed to promote a greater sense of belonging in arts programming for individuals with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities.
“SPAC has always been dedicated to increasing access to arts education and the live performance experience. But over the past few years, we have expanded from solely presenting music and dance classes to incubating new educational programming that prioritizes barrier-free arts access,” says Elizabeth Sobol, Chief Executive Officer of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. “Becoming one of the only Sensory Inclusive Certified locations in New York State is an incredible achievement for our SPAC School of the Arts and we are proud to continue this important work serving our community.”
“We believe the arts are not an optional luxury, but a necessity for individual and community wellness. Research shows that arts engagement strengthens communication skills, enhances memory and cognitive function, and supports emotional regulation—benefits that are particularly impactful for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences. By integrating movement, rhythm, and storytelling, our programs foster creativity, confidence, and social connection, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the transformative power of the arts,” says Jess Bien, Director of Learning and Engagement at SPAC School of the Arts.
KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive Certification:
SPAC School of the Arts is now a KultureCity® Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue. The program has been widely embraced by venues, stadiums, and cultural institutions across the nation and around the world. This groundbreaking program provides training and resources, enabling teachers and staff to better accommodate individuals with sensory sensitivities. As a result, families and individuals can enjoy arts classes, live events, and public spaces with greater comfort and ease.
Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions, regardless of age. Individuals might become overwhelmed by crowds, lights, sounds, smells, or other external stimuli. As part of the certification process, SPAC School of the Arts staff were trained by leading medical and neurodivergent professionals on how to recognize guests with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads are also now available to all guests at SPAC School of the Arts.
“Empowering communities through inclusion and innovation, SPAC School of the Arts is aligned with the same visionary spirit as KultureCity® and is championing a world where every individual, regardless of ability, is not just accepted but celebrated for their unique contributions to the tapestry of humanity!” says Uma Srivastava, Executive Director of KultureCity®.
New “All-Access Nights”
Wednesdays through May 7 & June 4-25 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
SPAC also announced that it has launched a new “All-Access Nights” program at its SPAC School of the Arts, developed as a response to the need for inclusive spaces for school-age students, their families and caregivers. The program, which promotes connection and belonging through the arts launched with a pilot session in the fall with free music, theatre and dance classes. The spring session runs every Wednesday through May 7, with the next session planned for Wednesdays in June.
“Access the Arts” for Adults
Performance Shares
April 30 | 10:30am at Spa Little Theater
“All-Access Nights” follows the creation of “Access the Arts,” a program for adults which began in 2023 and has since expanded its reach, working with six organizations including AIM Services and Saratoga Bridges across Warren, Washington, Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Montgomery counties. The program takes places three days a week at SPAC School of the Arts with free music, improv theatre, and dance classes for adults in day habilitation programs. “Access the Arts” culminates in a final celebratory “share” with all students, staff, caregivers, and community members on Wednesday, April 30 at 10:30am at Spa Little Theater. Media are invited to attend.
About SPAC Education:
Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s education programs reach over 50,000 individuals, offer more than 1,500 classes and events, and partner with 120+ schools and nonprofit organizations across the Saratoga, Adirondack, and Capital Regions of New York State. SPAC Education provides arts access to people of all ages, abilities, and demographics, while prioritizing historically marginalized groups and identities. Flagship offerings include the “Classical Kids” in-school music and dance program; “SPAC Dance Project” in-school dance residencies; “Access the Arts” weekly classes for adults from local day habilitation programs; the “Creative Connections” Saturday program for children from local youth-serving organizations; the “Summer Nights at SPAC” outreach initiative, providing transportation, meals, and performance tickets to families from under-resourced communities; and the “Festival of Young Artists,” an annual event that brings together and celebrates hundreds of student dancers, singers, musicians, poets, and visual artists. Additional music, theater, and dance programs are offered year-round at SPAC School of the Arts, a state-of-the-art educational facility dedicated to furthering SPAC’s mission to promote inclusion, equity, and access.
The SPAC School operates out of the Lewis A. Swyer Studios on the National Museum of Dance campus in Saratoga Spa State Park. www.spacschool.org
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Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located in the historic resort town of Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, is one of America’s most prestigious outdoor amphitheaters. Its tranquil setting in a 2,400-acre park preserve surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs draws lovers of arts, culture and nature for performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Saratoga Jazz Festival, and concerts by Live Nation. SPAC also hosts imaginative programming such as Caffè Lena @ SPAC and initiatives in culinary, literary, healing and visual arts.
SPAC is a 501c3 charitable organization. Donations and proceeds from fundraising events benefit the Center’s thriving education program, community outreach efforts, and the vibrancy of its programming. For more information visit spac.org.
KultureCity®
KultureCity®, established in 2014, is a dynamic non-profit organization at the forefront of the inclusivity movement which continues to make waves in creating a more accessible and accepting world for individuals with sensory needs and invisible disabilities (found in 1 in 4 of us). In a short 10 years, a few highlights of KultureCity’s impact includes making over 1,800 venues sensory inclusive certified, handing out almost a million sensory bags to individuals in need, making over 150 live events sensory inclusive, and saving 48 lives through the KultureCity® First Responder Training. KultureCity’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond physical spaces. The organization actively collaborates with influential figures, businesses, and communities to promote awareness and understanding of invisible disabilities. KultureCity® partners with event industry leaders like NFL, NBA, MLB and FIFA to make their flagship events sensory inclusive. With ongoing initiatives, partnerships, and a passionate community of supporters, KultureCity® is set to leave an enduring impact on the landscape of inclusivity.