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Staten Island on the Web: Culture

Literary Arts | Museums | Performing Arts | Visual Arts

General Links

Astrophysical Observatory of the College of Staten Island
The observatory is open to students of CSI and the general public at scheduled times. It is located on the campus of the College of Staten Island. The main telescope is a MEADE LX200 16-inch (0.46-m) F/10 Computerized Schmidt-Cassegrain.

Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island
The Council on the Arts and Humanities for Staten Island (COAHSI) maintains the Island's most comprehensive listing of cultural groups and events on their website. COAHSI develops, fosters and promotes the arts, cultural and humanities activities on Staten Island.

Film Society of Staten Island
Presents an annual film series.

New Radio and Performing Arts
An organization founded in 1981 to foster the development of new and experimental work for radio and sound arts.

Preservation League of Staten Island
Since its organization in 1977, The Preservation League of Staten Island has devoted its time, energy and resources to identifying, fostering an appreciation for, and supporting the preservation of Staten Island's historic built environment through a wide variety of activities.

Sandy Ground Historical Society
The oldest community established by free slaves in North America. The museum and library examines the life and history of freed Blacks who settled in the area before the Civil War.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center
Snug Harbor Cultural Center is home to over 70 of Staten Island's cultural organizations. The center has over 28 historic buildings, parklands, a botanical garden, and a children's museum. Art exhibits, theatre productions, and outdoor concerts are also offered.

Staten Island Botanical Garden
Nestled within the grounds of the Snug Harbor Cultural Center, The Staten Island Botanical Garden contains many varieties of flora, as well as the first Chinese Scholar's Garden in the United States.

Staten Island Community Television
This site has information on how Staten Islanders can use community television. CTV is an independent, non-profit organization that provides Staten Island residents the chance to create and air their own original local programming.

Staten Island Zoo
Hands-on thematic exhibits guide visitors to explore the arts, sciences and humanities. Workshops, performances and special events presented year-round. The Museum is a place where children of all ages can use their natural curiosity, creativity and imagination to explore many exciting aspects of the world around us.

Ten Penny Players, Inc
The Waterways Project of Ten Penny Players, an arts in education program, uses the arts to integrate literacy, creative expression, publishing, performance, computer skills, and critical thinking into a curriculum created for a network of schools, libraries, community based organizations, and distant learners.

Universal Temple of the Arts
Since 1967 the UTA has offered workshops, geared for youth, in dance, drama, arts & crafts, basic homemaking, the social graces, sewing/designing, art appreciation, as well as homework assistance.

Literary Arts

Staten Island Branches of The New York Public Library
In addition to their book collections, NYPL branches offer a variety of literary programs for adults and children, including book discussion groups, author visits, summer reading clubs, story hours, etc.

Staten Island OutLOUD
OutLOUD gathers people of all ages and backgrounds for the fun of reading aloud to each other. OutLOUD's goals are to foster cross-cultural harmony by exploring world literature, and to strengthen community support for the arts. OutLOUD is free and open to the public.

Staten Island Reading Association
The Staten Island Reading Association is a Council of the New York State Reading Association, and chartered by the International Reading Association. The Association stimulates and encouragse growth in the study of reading instruction and materials.

Staten Island School Reading Volunteer Program
Helping a child learn to read is one of the most rewarding jobs a person can do. If you have four hours a week to spare, you can experience this satisfaction by joining the Staten Island School Reading Volunteer Program. The program is operated by the SIMHS in cooperation with the New York City Department of Education, and in partnership with Time Warner Cable.

Staten Island Writers' Group

Museums

Alice Austen House Museum and Garden
Clear Comfort (a.k.a. The Alice Austen House) was built in 1690. In 1844 it was purchased by John Haggerty Austen, Alice Austen's grandfather. Today it serves as a museum dedicated to the photographer who documented life on Staten Island and around New York City during the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Conference House
The Conference or Billopp House, located in Tottenville, was the host of a Revolutionary War peace conference between Americans Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Edward Rutledge and British Representatives led by Admiral Lord Howe. Today the house, surrounded by a large bayside park, serves as a museum commemorating the unsuccessful negotiations.

Garibaldi-Meucci Museum
This museum, administrated by the Order Sons of Italy in America, honors Antonio Meucci, who developed the first working telephone in 1857, and Giuseppi Garibaldi, an Italian revolutionary.

Historic Richmond Town
Take a stroll through history at this 100-acre village featuring buildings representing 300 years of Staten Island life, including the oldest schoolhouse still standing (built 1695). In season, costumed craftspeople re-enact life in colonial times, depicting typical chores, crafts, and trade.

Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art
This museum, founded in 1945, seeks to preserve Tibetan culture by encouraging study in the art, history, and cultural artifacts of Tibet. The museum contains over 1,200 pieces of art from Tibet and other Buddhist cultures.

National Lighthouse Center and Museum
Staten Island has been selected as the future home of the National Lighthouse Center and Museum.

Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art
A Greek Revival temple houses Snug Harbor Cultural Center's own Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art which has exhibitions in 15,000 feet of gallery space, plus outdoor and off-site projects, educational programs, 30 artists studios on site and an international artist residency program.

Noble Maritime Collection
The Noble Maritime Collection is one of the country's most significant maritime collections. A maritime museum and education center with galleries, children's programs, library, archives and a working lithography studio. The collection focuses on the history of Sailor's Snug Harbor and maritime artist John A. Noble.

Sea View Hospital Medical Museum
Learn about the hospital's role in developing an effective treatment for Tuberculosis and saving countless lives worldwide. Open by appointment only.

Staten Island Children's Museum
Hands-on thematic exhibits guide visitors to explore the arts, sciences and humanities. Workshops, performances and special events presented year-round. The Museum is a place where children of all ages can use their natural curiosity, creativity and imagination to explore many exciting aspects of the world around us.

Staten Island Museum (Institute of Arts and Sciences)
Founded in 1881, the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences offers collections that focus on art, science, and history. Over 2 million artifacts are in the Institute's collection.

Performing Arts

College of Staten Island Center for the Arts
This state-of-the-art facility presents concerts, theatrical productions, lectures, films, and exhibits. It is housed on the largest and newest urban campus in New York City.

Enrichment Through the Arts
An organization dedicated to exposing students to quality live professional theater, music, puppetry and dance.

Kids on Stage
Based at the Cromwell Center, Kids on Stage provides theater training in after school and summer programs.

Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble
Comprised primarily of young high-caliber musicians, MCCE is a consortium dedicated to the craft of chamber music.

Richmond Choral Society
For over 50 years the Richmond Choral Society has been presenting classical choral music on Staten Island.

Richmond County Orchestra
The Richmond County Orchestra(RCO)is a semi-professional orchestra founded in 1999 by Mr. Alan Aurelia, who is also is currently severing as music director/conductor.

Riverside Opera Company
Riverside Opera Company, under the direction of Alan Aurelia, performs at various locations on Staten Island.

South Shore Band
A band of volunteer musicians, formed in 1952, who play at a variety of community events.

Staten Island Ballet
The Staten Island Ballet presents full length classical and original ballets with its troupe of more than 20 international artists, including guests from American Ballet Theatre, the Kirov and Dance Theatre of Harlem. The SIB also conducts a professional ballet school, where nearly half its 120 students study free on scholarship. For information call (718) 980-0500.

Staten Island Chamber Music Players
Now entering their third decade, the SI Chamber Music Players perform regularly at Veteran's Hall at Snug Harbor Cultural Center.

Staten Island Children's Theatre Association
"The S. I. Children's Theatre Association (SICTA) is a self-supporting program of the S.I. Mental Health Society, Inc. SICTA focuses on building self-esteem and positive mental health by teaching children the value of commitment and teamwork."

Staten Island Community Chorale
The Staten Island Community Chorale was created to recognize the musical talent found within Staten Island, and provide a suitable forum for individuals. Our Chorale is over 40 voices strong, with representation from all parts of Staten Island.

Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre
For over 25 years the Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre has presented the works of Shakespeare (and other playwrights, as well.) The theater is located on the grounds of Seaview Hospital at 460 Brielle Avenue.

Sundog Theatre
Sundog Theatre intends to provide to Staten Island with "local main-stage productions with paid resident actors, stage crew, and staff and a local haven for original works to evaluate and experiment with new plays and playwrights.

Theatre SanGreal
Performs experimental and classical works in non-traditional venues around Staten Island.

Wagner College Theatre
Every year the Wagner College Theatre presents a full season of dramas, comedies and musicals.

Visual Arts

Art Lab
Located in Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the Art Lab provides art instruction and exhibits to all ages.

Artists' Federation

Color Photographers of Staten Island
Staten Island camera group.

Gateway Camera Club
A Staten Island photographers group.