The projects the students develop with the professional First Night artist give them a unique vehicle for self-expression, a special pride in their abilities and a new perspective on their possibilities. They become connected to the broader community by seeing their work appreciated by thousands of families at First Night. Thanks to our sponsors and donors, this program served 1,000 families last year.

Although we build flexibility into the outreach program to accommodate the special needs and circumstances of the participants, most projects are thirty hours long, spread out over six to eight weeks. Most include twenty to thirty students. The artist/instructor serves as a mentor and guide; the students are the designers, builders and presenters. After initial discussions with the students and our partner's director, the artist/instructor designs and implements the workshop. The artist then guides the workshop participants to create either original performing arts projects such as poetry or musicals or larger-than-life visual projects such as giant puppets, giant murals, or interactive sculptures. As attendees make their way through the celebration, they find a tremendous variety in the projects presented each year, although most take our theme, this year "Dancing on the Moon" as their starting point.

As you wander through the celebration you will come across exceptional examples of our program. In Monterey Museum of Art downstairs gallery the exhibit "Stories and Murals" is a combination of two wonderful projects. The art students of Community Partnership for Youth (CPY) under the direction of Sue Ann Hillyer created stories and painted murals in keeping with the theme "Dancing on the Moon". The other project in this exhibit was created by the teens from Alisal High School Migrant Community. They wrote moving stories and painted murals describing their experiences as part of the Migrant Community in Salinas. A MUST SEE!!! Most of these students have never been in a museum let alone have their work shown, many tears were shed as they viewed their accomplishment. In the Colton Rooms at the Conference Center the "Moonscape, Moondance" is a Resolution Art installation created by students from all over Monterey County who participated in the First Night Art Works! Outreach Program.

A very special THANK YOU to Bobbi Long and her students at CSUMB who designed the button logo this year. One of our best!!!! As part of our partnership with Bobbi and CSUMB, two of her senior students Melisa Valdez and Sonya Sparks designed our venue signs, poster, volunteer buttons and T-shirt as their Senior Capstone project. Great Job! Another wonderful example of our Outreach Program working in our community.

The First Night Art Works! Outreach program is sponsored entirely by contributions. We are especially grateful to The City of Monterey, The Monterey Peninsula Foundation, The Community Foundation, The Cultural Council of the Monterey Peninsula and all of the donors and sponsors who so generously contributed to our success. THANK YOU!

To become a sponsor or outreach partner or Artist/Instructor , please call the First Night Office at the number at the bottom of the page. To become an artist/instructor, please call program director Sue Ann Hillyer at 648-1458 or send email to: