THE NELSONVILLE MUSIC FESTIVAL IS FUN FOR ALL AGES

 

Each year we offer:

• FREE admission for all children 12 and under
• Discounted passes for teens (ages 13-17)
• A dedicated quiet/family camping area

A lot of music festivals have an age limit of 18 years or older, or can just be an unsuitable environment for young children – NOT NMF! We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly event! Each year, our team works with the Federal Hocking School’s Art and Drama Clubs, Passion Works, and other local partners to create an incredible kids area. Past activities have included parades, making postcards, games, workshops, face painting, photo booth, making costumes/flags/puppets, youth yoga, and more.

Check back for more info on 2024 NMF kids activities as we get closer to the festival!

 

Arts Education and The Nelsonville Music Festival

The Nelsonville Music Festival is produced by and is a fundraiser for Stuart’s Opera House. Stuart’s serves as the cornerstone of the historic Public Square in Nelsonville and is dedicated to its role as a regional leader in the arts, a center for public expression, and an economic development partner for Southeastern Ohio. Through our art programming and educational outreach, we continue to be profoundly intertwined with the population of Nelsonville and surrounding communities by providing free opportunities to participate in the arts.

Our Arts Education Program furthers our mission by providing much-needed art education and inspiration to our region. We offer affordable, accessible broad-based programming focused on visual and performing arts to people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds throughout Southeastern Ohio.

Under the umbrella of Stuart’s Art Education Programs, we offer theater performances for primary students, Afterschool music and audio production programs for young adults, regional coordination for the national Poetry Out Loud competition, private music lessons, a drama club for Nelsonville-York schools, virtual literary events, Summer Arts Camp for elementary and middle school students, and much more. We are passionate about inspiring, engaging, and nurturing our students and audiences through creative explorations. Through participation in the arts, we can activate our neighbors to be better listeners, critical thinkers, and positive contributors to our Appalachian community.

 

Stuart’s Opera House Afterschool Music Program

A place for young adults to gain confidence and build skills through music

Stuart’s Opera House’s Afterschool Music Program (AMP) is a tuition-free music program that exists to support and foster young people who are interested in learning how to play a variety of instruments and form bands. Students typically focus on the genre(s) of music they personally gravitate toward, such as rock, pop, r&b, folk, hip-hop, country, electronic, or experimental music. Students are provided instruction in guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, and drums with potential for additional instruments as well.

AMP provides crucial out-of-school arts enrichment that incorporates musical components with other artistic disciplines. A place for young adults to gain confidence and build skills through music, all levels of musicianship are welcome as students explore all instruments related to the genre(s) of their choosing in a group setting. The program’s goal is to provide an enlivening opportunity to work together as a team, celebrate diversity and creativity with kids by teaching basic music skills, and giving them hands-on experience with all instruments.

Don’t miss the annual performance from our AMP student bands at NMF!