Spectrum

For over 40 years, our Spectrum Summer Programs have offered children in grades K-8 wonderful and innovative classes and creative possibilities and provided summer teaching and leadership opportunities for local artists, including many Tandem alums and older students. For six weeks every summer, our campus has come alive with the relaxed energy of younger students taking a deep dive into creative self-expression.

Last spring, just after we had published the summer’s Spectrum offerings, COVID and the many health uncertainties the pandemic presented resulted in the closure of campus and the cancellation of Spectrum for the first time in its 40-plus years. We remained hopeful that things would improve for this summer and Spectrum would resume.

For over seventeen years, Fran Smith has brought her creativity, spirit and enthusiasm to her role as Director of Spectrum Summer Programs. Serving as Spectrum’s visionary, camp director, counselor, and mentor, Fran’s charisma has brought the joy of creative expression to many generations of Spectrum campers. We are sad to announce that Fran has made the decision to retire from her leadership role at Spectrum. While we can’t imagine our summer programs without her, we are so grateful for her almost twenty years of dedication, artistic leadership, and devotion to our young summer students. Please join us in honoring Fran and wishing her many years of retirement joy.

While we will miss the energy of young children on campus this summer - the vivid colors, the sound of African drumming with Darrell Rose, the rising up of Box City, the delicious cafe smells, the fun of each Spectrum Extravaganza performance - we are excited to begin planning for the summer of 2022.