Perelman PAC Launches Youth-Centric Creativity Days
The Perelman Performing Arts Center at the World Trade Center (PAC NYC) is launching a family art program, as part of its expanding commitment to New York City youth. Tomorrow (Saturday, July 11), PAC NYC kicks off “Creativity Days,” a new art-making experience for kids ages six through 12. It is the first session in the series, which will be held on select Saturdays from 11am to 1pm through January 2, 2027. Each workshop is limited to 20 participants, to keep the experience intimate. (Workshops are offered in both English and Spanish, and Perelman staff welcome families to reach out ahead of time with any accessibility needs.)
The debut session, Petal Power Prints, introduces children to the traditional Japanese art form of flower pounding (or “tataki zome”), in which natural pigments from flowers and leaves are transferred onto paper, using a mallet. The technique builds skills in color layering and creative composition. This workshop (and all others in the series) will be led by Paloma Nicholas, a museum educator whose programming experience includes MoMA, the Met, the Whitney, and the Morgan Library, as well as UCLA’s Hammer Museum.
Petal Power Prints is the beginning of an eight-part series. On July 18, young artists will have the opportunity to design hanging mobiles. On July 25, children will be able to build their own kites while also learning the basics of aerodynamic design. The creativity day series will return in the fall with sessions on leaf lanterns, tiny clay architecture, and holiday ornament sculpting. These workshops highlight the Perelman’s interdisciplinary approach to the arts, blending visual art with concepts from nature, science, and engineering. The dates and titles of each activity are:
July 11, 2026, Petal Power Prints
July 18, 2026, Making Mobiles
July 25, 2026, Design Your Own Kite
November 28, 2026, Leaf Lanterns
December 5, 2026, Tiny Worlds in a Tin
December 19, 2026, Sculpting Ornaments
December 26, 2026, Making Miniatures
January 2, 2027, Sunlight Sparkles-Beaded Suncatchers.
Sessions will take place in the PAC NYC lobby. Weather permitting, some workshops will be held on the outdoor terrace. Participation costs $25 per child (tickets are required for participating children only). Families interested in attending multiple dates can save up to 20 percent off four or more tickets, available through July 20. Parents and caregivers do not need a ticket, but are required to remain at the Perelman during the program.
The Creativity Days series is part of a expanded portfolio of youth-centric initiatives at PAC NYC that began in May with the annual Family Day of free performances, live music, and interactive art stations. This fall, the Perelman is also launching Stories to Stages, a year-long theater program for New York City public high school students in which PAC NYC’s Director of Education and Civic Alliances, Jocelyn de Freitas, will lead teaching artists in guiding students to form their own theater group, while also helping them write and perform an original piece for the stage.
“At PAC NYC, we believe the arts play a vital role in the life of our city—and that young people should be at the center of that work,” says executive director Khady Kamara Nunez. “This expansion reflects our commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for youth to engage with the arts, share their perspectives, and feel a sense of belonging in our cultural spaces.”
Now embarking on its fourth season, PAC NYC was founded to bring new energy to Lower Manhattan following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Since its 2023 opening, the center has evolved into a cultural hub, signature public space, architectural landmark, and transformative amenity for Lower Manhattan.