Yocum Institute for Arts Education

Established in 1934 by Chester Wittell as the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts, the Institute opened its doors with 3 music students. Under Lila Lerch, the first managing director, the Institute grew to over 300 students and expanded its offerings to include music, dance, theater, and visual art instruction. An arts-based preschool and kindergarten were added and the Institute became licensed by the state. It is also home to the Yocum Gallery, a venue for exhibits and performances, the Berks Art Alliance, and Art Goes to School. Over the years, the Institute has forged partnerships with schools and other non-profit organizations to increase access to the arts for both arts and non-arts outcomes. In 2005, in response to a challenge grant, the Institute launched the “Learning Through the Arts” campaign. Funds from the campaign were used to research and develop Primary Stages, the Institute’s signature theater program for children’s productions and arts education. In May of 2018, The Yocum Institute’s Dance Department merged with the Academy of Movement (AOM), formerly located in Sinking Spring, to develop a level of dance programming unlike any other. The combination of dance programs will provide opportunities to dance students of all ages and levels of experience from toddlers to adults. Every genre of dance is represented. Students can opt to take one day masterclasses, camps, and workshops to semester long classes that will culminate with a recital.