East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts
2026-27 Performing Arts After School Registration Form
Performing Arts After-school & Summer Program
The SIUE East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts provides high-quality arts education in the performing arts for youth ages 7-17. Through year-round after-school and summer programming, students develop artistic skills, academic habits, leadership, confidence, and meaningful connections to their community.
Program Information
Fall Dates: September 8 - December 17
Spring Dates: January 11 - May 13
Time: Monday - Thursday, 4-7 pm
Cost: Free!
Registration is now open!
Online: click the link above.
In-person:
Monday - Friday 9 am - 4 pm
SIUE East St. Louis Center - Director's Office
601 James R. Thompson Blvd. Bldg A. Suite 1055
About the Program
The SIUE East St. Louis Center for Performing Arts has a long and distinguished history rooted in artistic excellence, cultural education, and community engagement. In 1967, legendary dancer, anthropologist, and social activist Katherine Dunham founded the Center for Performing Arts at the SIUE East St. Louis Center. At its peak in the 1990s, the program provided year-round instruction to more than 1,000 young people and served as a training ground for artists across multiple disciplines.
Today, we continue that legacy by providing youth from historically underserved communities with consistent, high-quality, and culturally grounded arts education. Our goal is to empower young people to become confident, creative, and socially aware individuals who contribute positively to their schools, families, and communities.
Our Approach
The work of the Center is grounded in the legacy of Katherine Dunham and the cultural traditions of the African diaspora. These traditions are woven throughout our curriculum and programming, helping students build cultural knowledge, personal identity, pride, and self-expression.
We believe the arts are a powerful tool for holistic youth development. Through arts instruction and performance opportunities, students strengthen communication skills, discipline, creativity, emotional awareness, leadership, and self-confidence.
Community Engagement
Partnerships with families, schools, and community organizations are central to our work. By collaborating with the community, we ensure that programming remains responsive to the needs of local youth while supporting broader educational and cultural goals.
Excellence and Growth
We maintain high expectations for both students and staff, emphasizing respect, preparation, dedication, and personal responsibility. Through supportive instruction and meaningful artistic experiences, students develop perseverance, reflection, and curiosity that serve them throughout their lives, whether they pursue careers in the arts or apply these skills in other fields.
For more information contact Program Director Mike DePope at mdepope@siue.edu or (618) 482-4905.
