Special Programs

The Hartford Youth Art Renaissance (HYAR) is an annual celebration of the artistic expression of students attending Hartford Public Schools. HYAR began as a community art contest in 1973. The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art has partnered with Hartford Public Schools for this event since 1980. Students from throughout the district in all grade levels submit work.

Each year students from all over Hartford audition for the Inderdistrict Honors Band. In the spring Hartford Public Schools hosts an Honors Band Festival for these select groups to come together and perform.

The spring concert typically occurs in May at Bulkeley High School.

Each year the Superintendent hosts a greeting card contest for students in all grade levels and schools.  Three winners selected for each season receive a box of stationery with their own design.  To celebrate the outstanding artwork, a reception with the Superintendent is held for winners, parents, and art teachers.

Judy Dworin Dance Project provides residencies that integrate children’s study of movement with the language arts curriculum. The Moving Matters! residency at Parkville Community School has been in place since 1996.

Hartford Stage Early Literacy Program

Link Up is a national program from Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute that partners with dozens of orchestras across the country and local schools for a yearlong music education program that culminates in a live show.

Hartford Performs is a collaborative network of Hartford Public Schools, arts providers, community organizations, funders and other supporters working together in a planned and integrated way to deliver quality arts education programs to Hartford Public School students.

Little Kids Rock trains public school teachers and donates all of the resources needed to run pop/rock-based music education classes.