Center for Creative Education

The mission of the Center for Creative Education is to create a better world by nurturing and empowering youth and community through the arts.

The Center for Creative Education (CCE) was established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 1989 and launched its first youth arts education program in Kingston, New York in 1997. The following year CCE established the Stone Ridge Center for the Arts (SRCA) as a community center, performance space, and administrative headquarters. In 2005, CCE opened a performing arts training center in midtown Kingston and moved its main office to a newly renovated building at 20 Thomas Street in Kingston in February, 2007. This new complex has a 1300 square foot dance studio, a percussion studio, homework and tutoring center, and a computer music lab that is being developed in collaboration with the Kingston School District’s Department of Fine Arts and Enrichment. This lab will have the equipment to offer courses currently unavailable at the high school and will provide training to both students and District staff.

CCE has worked closely with the Kingston School District for a decade and runs three successful arts education programs in Kingston including the Percussion Orchestra of Kingston (POOK), The Energy Hip Hop Dance Company, and the arts component of the TOPS after school program at George Washington and J.F. Kennedy Elementary Schools. In addition, the Center has provided in-school and after-school arts education programming at Bailey, Edson, Myer, Robert Graves, Miller and Kingston High School.

The Center for Creative Education is led by founder, and full-time Executive Director Evry Mann and Artistic/Program Director Bryant Andrews. Mr. Mann has 30 years of experience in arts education and is a professional musician. Mr. Andrews is a dancer/choreographer with extensive experience in social services. CCE’s staff includes: an administrative director, a youth program director, a development director and seventeen adjunct teaching faculty. The Board of Directors has nine members, meets monthly, and is actively involved in all aspects of CCE’s multiple programs. CCE has received the support of area businesses, foundations, government agencies, and individuals. Corporate sponsors include Key Bank, Roundout Savings Bank, Stewarts, Target, and Ulster Savings Bank. Supporting foundations include: the Dyson Foundation and the Edwards Foundation. Federal, state and county partnerships have come from the Dutchess County Arts Council, The National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, and the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.