Appel Farm Arts and Music Center
Cause Area
- Arts & Culture
- Children & Youth
- Community
Location
457 Shirley RoadElmer, NJ 08318 United StatesOrganization Information
Mission Statement
Appel Farm's mission is "to provide people of all ages, cultures and economic backgrounds with a supportive, cooperative environment in which to explore the fine and performing arts." We believe that the arts are an exciting and essential part of the learning process and that artistic talent is innate and waiting to be developed in every person.
Description
Appel Farm was founded in 1960 as a private summer arts camp for children. Albert and Clare Appel, both professional musicians and music educators themselves, believed that the arts play a crucial role in a child's learning skills, personal growth, and sense of community. They converted their 176-acre farm in Salem County, New Jersey into a uniquely supportive community of students and arts educators. Appel Farm Arts & Music Center was incorporated in 1978 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a professional staff and a volunteer Board of Trustees. Now in its fifth decade, Appel Farm has evolved into a multidisciplinary regional arts center. The Center's programs build on the Appel's founding principle, providing opportunities for arts education, arts appreciation, and creative expression to more than 52,000 children and adults each year.