Unlocking personal strength through self-expression and social responsibility.
Our workshops offer students the tools to engage deeply with the world around them. They provide creative outlets and inspire students to act with purpose – much like Anne Frank did with her diary – fostering both personal growth and a sense of duty to create a better, more inclusive future.
The Art of Self Discovery Workshop
This transformative workshop series invites students to explore their own identities and experiences through the lens of creative expression. During the 6-10 week course, professional teaching artists guide students in a process of self-reflection to discover their voices, talents, and personal stories. By engaging in various artistic practices like painting, writing, theater, or music, students reflect on who they are, what they stand for, and how they can shape their own future.
Echoing Anne Frank’s journey, students used writing and other creative outlets as a means of self-discovery and a way to process her emotions, hopes, and fears. The Art of Self Discovery helps students understand their own potential and place in the world, empowering them to express themselves with confidence, compassion, and authenticity.
Students are very proud to share their perspectives. They feel the political shift and are connecting these themes to today's news. They are learning that in difficult times, there are not just two sides (victims and villains), but there are many ways that people can stay true to themselves and keep their inner powers shining.
Cydney Williams, Teaching Artist
From Bystander to Ally Workshop
This powerful workshop series challenges students to examine their role in their school, community, and the world around them. During the 6-10 week course, students engage with the arts to explore critical themes of empathy, responsibility, and social justice. Through guided exercises in various creative mediums, students learn to connect with others’ experiences, develop a sense of shared humanity, and become active allies in promoting positive change.
The workshop draws inspiration from Anne Frank’s legacy, as she was not merely a victim of injustice but a symbol of the courage to speak out against it. From Bystander to Ally equips students with the tools to recognize when others are marginalized and take action to be allies. By channeling their creative energy, students build empathy, learn the power of standing up for others, and become leaders who challenge hate and foster inclusivity.
I have worked with Anne Frank Center for about three years now. I enjoy having the teaching artist visit my class. Students become engaged in the sessions and the culminating performance. Additionally, the Bystander to Ally workshops support our restorative justice initiative.
Donzell Evans, High School Teacher
These and other Anne Frank Center educational programs are made possible in part through funding from:
