Huntington Arts Council established the Journey Program two decades ago as a means of integrating the arts into the school curriculum.  What began as a modest arts-in-education project has since grown to include seven school districts in and around the Township of Huntington. The program serves upwards of 40,000 children from grades K-12.  

Participating districts of the 2008-2009 school year are:

Commack UFSD, Elwood UFSD, Harborfields CSD,
Huntington UFSD,
Northport/East Northport UFSD,
Plainview/Old Bethpage CSD, and South Huntington UFSD

Journey's ongoing success is based on three components:  

• Cultural Arts Workshops for Teachers facilitate the introduction of cultures into the classroom.  Workshops provide professional development and/or in-service credit in accordance with the rules of each partner district.
• Artist Visits for workshops, performances or residencies within each school or classroom.
• Discovery Chests available for teachers to borrow for a two week period.   Students experience hands-on learning with cultural artifacts and traditional objects.  Each portable chest contains 30 or more pieces including audio-visual materials, books, a catalogue and a teacher's handbook.  Currently offering Africa, Ancient Egypt, China, India, Latin America and Native America.

HAC's arts-in-education also extends to the community at large by: 

• Bringing cultural enrichment to young people who may be deprived of opportunities outside the school environment; 
• Collaborating with long-standing partners such as the Town of Huntington and the Heckscher Museum to encourage children's involvement in the arts