[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Menu Bar” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F7F7F5″ custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” sticky_position=”top” motion_trigger_start=”top” saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” background__sticky_enabled=”on|sticky” background_color__sticky=”#F3F3F1″ background_enable_color__sticky=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” max_width=”2560px” custom_padding=”1.25vw||1.25vw||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_menu menu_id=”149″ menu_style=”centered” active_link_color=”#313436″ dropdown_menu_bg_color=”#cba052″ dropdown_menu_line_color=”#d7d2cb” dropdown_menu_text_color=”#313436″ dropdown_menu_active_link_color=”#313436″ mobile_menu_bg_color=”#ffffff” mobile_menu_text_color=”#2f2f2f” menu_icon_color=”#25282a” mobile_menu_bg_color_tablet=”#ffffff” mobile_menu_bg_color_phone=”#ffffff” mobile_menu_bg_color_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” menu_font=”Oswald|500||on|||||” menu_text_color=”#313436″ menu_font_size=”1.3em” background_enable_color=”off” background_layout=”dark” menu_font_size_tablet=”2vw” menu_font_size_phone=”3vw” menu_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” mobile_menu_bg_color__sticky_enabled=”on|sticky” menu_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” menu_text_color__hover=”#711421″][\/et_pb_menu][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Article Title Section” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_color=”#EAE9E5″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_right” background_vertical_offset=”-73%” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”19px||0px||false|false” bottom_divider_height=”40px” bottom_divider_flip=”vertical” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” background_enable_image_tablet=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ width=”100%” max_width=”1253px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”9px|2vw||2vw|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”align-items: flex-end;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”50px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Slab||||||||” text_text_color=”#545658″ text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”5px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Berrie Center guest artist Ronv\u00e9 O’Daniel<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2025\/02\/Bridging-the-Arts-Access-Gap-feature.png” alt=”Ronv\u00e9 O’Daniel talking to Ramapo College students as a guest artist” title_text=”Bridging-the-Arts-Access-Gap-feature” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” module_class=”rowFlexChild” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0.25vw|1vw|1vw|1vw|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|7vw||7vw|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Oswald|500||on|||||” text_text_color=”#862633″ text_font_size=”1.1em” link_font=”||||on|||#2f2f2f|” link_text_color=”#2f2f2f” background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” custom_margin=”||11px|||” custom_padding=”0px||5px||false|false” border_width_bottom=”1px” border_color_bottom=”#d7d2cb” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
College<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|800||on|||||” header_font_size=”77px” header_line_height=”1.1em” header_2_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_2_text_color=”#862633″ header_2_font_size=”53px” header_2_line_height=”1.1em” header_3_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#862633″ header_3_font_size=”40px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” header_4_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#25282A” header_4_font_size=”30px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” header_5_font=”|800|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#862633″ header_5_font_size=”24px” header_5_line_height=”1.1em” header_6_font=”|700|||||||” header_6_text_color=”#25282A” header_6_font_size=”22px” header_font_size_tablet=”56px” header_font_size_phone=”48px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_3_font_size_phone=”” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_4_font_size_phone=”” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”” header_5_font_size_phone=”” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Copy1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”63px||50px||false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”15px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n By Rebecca Gathercole \u201924\u00a0<\/span> |\u00a0 Spring 2025<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n When she arrived at Ramapo College five years ago, Director of the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for the Performing and Visual Arts (Berrie Center) Lisa Campbell had a goal: to develop partnerships with schools and other organizations in the surrounding communities within Northern New Jersey. \u201cPublic funding of the arts in the schools has been cut radically, and so, as a state institution, I was looking for partners to contribute to that continued learning, growth and availability,\u201d Campbell said.<\/p>\n The Berrie Center works with Paterson Public School No. 28 (P.S. 28), a pre-K through eighth-grade school with Title I designation that houses the Paterson Academy for the Gifted and Talented and a self-contained special needs program. Each year, the Berrie Center brings four programs to P.S. 28 that encompass diverse art forms, such as music, theater, dance and visual art. More importantly, Campbell makes sure to bring artists of color or who belong to minority groups \u2013 P.S. 28 has a 93% minority student population \u2013 to allow students to interact with artists who either share identities with the students or have unique experiences. P.S. 28 Principal Nancy Castro advocated for this kind of diversity when forging the partnership with the Berrie Center and is excited about what has come to fruition.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1024px” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Oswald||||||||” text_text_color=”#862633″ text_font_size=”28px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_text_color=”#CBA052″ header_font_size=”51px” header_5_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_5_font_size=”21px” header_6_font=”Oswald||||||||” header_6_font_size=”15px” background_color=”#F3F3F1″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0vw||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0vw||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”1vw|2vw|1vw|2vw|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”5vw|6vw|4vw|6vw|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|10vw||10vw|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”43px” text_font_size_phone=”32px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201c<\/span> \u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2025\/02\/berrie-center-vert.jpg” alt=”The Berrie Center at night” title_text=”berrie-center-vert” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”8px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||23px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The students saw performances by musician Rodney Marsalis, storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston and Broadway actress and author Ali Stroker. They also learned about Chinese ribbon dance, flamenco and origami.<\/p>\n While most have been school assembly programs, some have included class workshops. Fifth graders participated in a writing workshop with Blake Alston, where she taught African oral traditions, allowed students to practice writing and performed a mini oral history for themselves. Sixth and seventh graders also gained hands-on experience with origami, which Campbell said the teachers related to the geometry the students were learning in their math classes.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Berrie Center has also worked with Passaic Preparatory Academy, a public magnet high school in Passaic. Students and parents are given free admission and bussing for educational programs, such as Calpulli Mexican Dance Company and the Les Paul Festival Concert featuring Amythyst Kiah. Passaic Prep Principal Stacey Bruce shared the partnership has already positively impacted the students. \u201cThe beauty of the setting, the diversity of the performances and the positive interactions with staff members exposed our young adults to the necessary and uplifting influence of art in their lives,\u201d she stated.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Berrie Center\u2019s partnerships with public schools embody its strategic plan, which aims to \u201cserve all members of our community and aid in recruiting students to Ramapo College\u201d by specifically connecting with underserved community members. By offering opportunities for students to explore creative outlets and bridging the gap between high school and college programs, which many underserved students often don\u2019t have access to, the partnerships provide an impactful resource to the community.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F3F3F1″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2024\/03\/element_checked-light-gray-circle-cut-offAsset-22@4x.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_right” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1100px” custom_padding=”0.5vw||0.5vw||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”64px” header_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_2_text_color=”#862633″ header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.1em” header_3_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#862633″ header_3_font_size=”40px” header_3_line_height=”1.2em” header_4_font=”Oswald||||||||” header_4_text_color=”#862633″ header_4_font_size=”27px” header_4_line_height=”1.2em” header_5_font=”|800|||||||” header_5_text_color=”#862633″ header_5_font_size=”30px” header_5_line_height=”1.3em” header_6_font=”|700|||||||” header_6_text_color=”#862633″ header_6_font_size=”22px” header_font_size_tablet=”50px” header_font_size_phone=”48px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”36px” header_2_font_size_phone=”” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_3_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_3_font_size_phone=”” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_4_font_size_phone=”” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” header_5_font_size_tablet=”24px” header_5_font_size_phone=”” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1100px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2025\/02\/Bridging-the-gap_Professor-Gilad-CohenJAuger-0477.jpg” alt=”Professor Gilad Cohen enthusiastically leads a workshop with students from Passaic Preparatory Academy.” title_text=”ARCH Performances” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”50px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Slab||||||||” text_text_color=”#545658″ text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.4em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Dr. Gilad Cohen leads a workshop with students from Passaic Preparatory Academy.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2025\/02\/Bridging-the-garp-Ronve-ODaniel_JAuger-0536-web.jpg” alt=”Berrie Center guest artist Ronv\u00e9 O’Daniel holding a microphone in his hands.” title_text=”Bridging-the-garp-Ronve\u0301 O’Daniel_JAuger-0536-web” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”50px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Slab||||||||” text_text_color=”#545658″ text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Berrie Center guest artist Ronv\u00e9 O’Daniel performs for Passaic Preparatory Academy students.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2025\/02\/Ronve-ODaniel-and-Passaic-Preparatory-Academy-students-JAuger-0524.jpg” alt=”Ronv\u00e9 O’Daniel and Passaic Preparatory Academy students” title_text=”Ronve O’Daniel and Passaic Preparatory Academy students-JAuger-0524″ show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”50px” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Roboto Slab||||||||” text_text_color=”#545658″ text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.4em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Dr. Gilad Cohen moderates a workshop with guest artist Ronv\u00e9 O’Daniel and Passaic Preparatory Academy students.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Copy1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”63px||63px||false|false” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”824px” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_3_text_color=”#862633″ header_3_font_size=”28px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Berrie Center has also recently partnered with local women\u2019s shelters: Several Sources in Ramsey; and Strengthen Our Sisters (SOS) in Hewitt. When available, complimentary tickets are provided to the adults and children at these shelters to attend the Berrie Center\u2019s family-oriented programs. Campbell views it as another small way to support the local community.<\/p>\n Coincidentally, both organizations have ties to Ramapo. At Several Sources, the Chief Operating Officer, Venetta Ellerbe ’03, is a Ramapo alum. In 2001, SOS and its Founder and Executive Director, Sandra Ramos, received the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award, which \u201chonors New Jersey residents whose outstanding community service and heroic acts have made a substantial impact on the lives of others.” Ramapo College has been fortunate to be a partner of the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award, having hosted the award ceremony on campus for over 25 years.<\/p>\n Celebrating the Berrie Center\u2019s 25th\u00a0anniversary this year, Campbell shared that, \u201cWhile there has been great change over the past 25 years of operation, the future promises to be even more remarkable.”<\/p>\n “I believe the next 25 years will be rooted in an increased interdisciplinary focus of the arts, a more global perspective of art forms and advancements in technology, which will impact both content and how audiences engage with the arts,” she added.<\/p>\n Campbell expressed her hope for growth in outreach programming and partnerships, emphasizing a more contemporary focus that aligns with the curriculum while fostering stronger community engagement. “I hope to see growth in our outreach programming and partnerships, a more contemporary focus that mirrors the curriculum and stronger engagement with the community.”<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Back To Homepage Spring 2025″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”45deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”#f3f3f1 0%|#fcfffd 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#f3f3f1″ background_color_gradient_end=”#fcfffd” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” top_divider_color=”#ffffff” top_divider_height=”86px” top_divider_arrangement=”above_content” top_divider_style_tablet=”” top_divider_style_phone=”” top_divider_style_last_edited=”on|phone” top_divider_height_tablet=”52px” top_divider_height_phone=”25px” top_divider_height_last_edited=”on|phone” border_color_all=”#2f2f2f” border_width_top=”1px” border_color_top=”#f3f3f1″ global_module=”6331″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”center_left” z_index=”349″ max_width=”1024px” custom_padding=”15px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” text_text_color=”#862633″ text_font_size=”24px” link_text_color=”#25282a” transform_scale_linked__hover=”off” transform_translate_linked__hover=”off” custom_margin=”6px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”21px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” transform_styles__hover_enabled=”on|hover” transform_scale__hover_enabled=”on|hover” transform_translate__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_rotate__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_skew__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_origin__hover_enabled=”on|desktop” transform_translate__hover=”-5px|0px” custom_css_after__hover_enabled=”on|hover” link_text_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” link_text_color__hover=”#c41e1e”]<\/p>\nBridging the<\/h2>\n
Arts Access Gap <\/strong><\/h1>\n
The performances have allowed our students to not only learn about the importance of the arts through technique but also, more importantly, to develop their inner creativity, social skills, creative problem-solving skills, as well as their decision-making and risk-taking skills.<\/p>\n\u2014 Nancy Castro<\/h5>\n
Principal – Paterson Public School No. 28<\/h6>\n
Public school partnerships leverage Ramapo College faculty and guest artists from Arch Performances.\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n