Resident urges Andover to add youth performing arts program to recreation offerings

Joyce Henry, an Andover resident and performing-arts educator, told the City Council she would like the city’s Recreational Services to add a youth performing-arts component, citing cognitive and social benefits for children.

Henry said performing arts help children manage anxiety, build teamwork and perseverance, improve memorization and boost confidence, and she recommended starting with themed short summer camps, dance exposure classes and a musical-theater track that would audition students for roles and offer chorus participation. She suggested using the Andover Community Center for classes and the CatFit Amphitheatre for small ticketed performances, and provided council members with research sources and her contact information for follow-up.

Parks and Recreation Manager Daniel (identified in the meeting) told the council that Andover has offered small dance-related programs in the past but participation has varied since the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the department accepts proposals and instructor applications for new classes. City staff said nights in the community center (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) and some Thursdays are available for programming and that the city often relies on outside providers for specialty instruction.

Council members thanked Henry for raising the idea and said staff would follow up; Henry confirmed she had emailed supporting material to the city clerk for council review.

The request generated no formal motion or funding decision during the meeting; council members directed staff to examine program feasibility and existing scheduling and to engage with the presenter if follow-up is needed.