Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1 Sense for Cents: Education
CLASSES, Lectures & Seminars
Just walking the streets and riding the subways is all too often a learning experience in New York, but most of
us have room for further development along less informal lines. A handful of classes and a nearly endless selec-
tion of lectures provide New Yorkers with educational opportunities left and right. Cooper Union looks the other
way when it comes to tuition, and although other local institutions aren't quite so generous, most have programs
open to the public for little or no charge.
Access Restricted
What began as an excuse to open up New York's glorious legal bastions to those of us
who walk the line has expanded to providing entry to all manner of undertrafficked venues. The Lower Manhat-
tan Cultural Council sponsors this series of free lectures, usually four themed events held in the spring months.
The series is popular and space is limited, so make reservations as soon as you can (the RSVP goes live 8 days
prior to each lecture).
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, various locations.
212/219-9401.
www.lmcc.net
.
Battery Park City
In addition to giving us open space, landscaping, and music aplenty, Battery Park also
helps boost our eye-hand coordination. Three drawing classes are offered from early May to late October. Ele-
ments of Nature Drawing (Wed 11:30am-1:30pm), Drawing in the Park (Sat 10am-noon), and Figure al Fresco
(Wed 2:30-4:30pm), are all led by an artist. (Alas, the figure in Figure al Fresco is clothed.) See later in this chapter
for the eye-hand coordination covered by tai chi. Check the website for locations, usually Wagner Park and South
Cove.
Battery Park City, along South End Ave., just west of West St.
212/267-9700.
www.bpcparks.org
. Subway: 1/2/3 or A/C to Chambers St.; 1 to
Rector St. or South Ferry; 4/5 to Bowling Green.
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
This not-for-profit space brings in an array of jazz and pop per-
formers. The concerts have standard (that is, pricey) ticket charges, but you can catch additional edification cour-
tesy of the PAC's free humanities programs, which often run before shows. Documentary film footage and panel
discussions (or Q&As) are the primary offerings; check the website for schedules.
199 Chambers St., btw. Greenwich St. and the West Side Hwy.
212/509-0300.
www.tribecapac.org
.
Subway: 1/2/3 or A/C to Chambers St.
Brooklyn Center for Media Education
The revolution may not be televised, but everything else will be. Check
out the incredibly affordable classes at BRIC Arts. A 3-week basic editing course is $60, as is a 6-day graphic
design intro. Basic Marketing Techniques and Introduction to Social Media are free, as are 2-hour orientations,
which are prerequisites for some of the more advanced coursework. Get yourself certified as a community pro-
ducer and you can use production equipment and facilities for free. An affiliated network (BCAT-TV) lets Brook-
lyn residents air programs, also for no cost. Start putting the free back in free speech by visiting the website and
downloading a course catalog.
242 3rd St., btw. Third and Fourth aves., Park Slope, Brooklyn.
718/683-5645.
www.bricartsmedia.org
.
Subway: R to Union St.
Brooklyn Creative
Gallery and community space Rabbithole plays host to this low-cost educational center. Art
and photography are the focus, with hands-on learning the main technique. Three-hour workshops start at $49,
but the super bargain on the calendar falls under the title “5 Dollar Fridays.” From 6:30 to 8pm on select Fridays,
catch an introductory class on a topic like Photoshop basics or composition, for less than the cost of a pint of beer.
33 Washington St., btw. Water and Plymouth sts.
718/362-2394.
www.wearebrooklyncreative.com
.
Subway: F to York St.
Columbia University
New York City's member of the Ivy League has an impressive events calendar, with
talks and colloquiums supplementing readings and musical performances. Topics range from esoteric science to
less dry material (“My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant”). Venues vary, although Lerner Hall is a popular
location, 2922 Broadway, at 115th Street. You should also check out the lectures in the
Cafés Columbia
series.
Four categories of study (art, science, social science, and humanities) rotate through the
PicNic Market & Café
