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August 24, 2023

AIS Stories from Last Season (2022/23)

We were thrilled to bring professional teaching artists into 15 schools across Chatham County in our 2022-23 Artists-in-Schools season. We’ll be announcing our 2023-24 season in the coming weeks, but for now, read all about the joy these residencies bring to Chatham County kids! Click any image below to learn more about each of these impactful experiences. And stay tuned for this season’s announcement!

Photo triptych featuring photos L to R: smiling boy in red shirt; Gaspard dancers in pose; 2 boys standing back to back with arms interlockedGaspard&Dancers kicked off our 2022-23 season at North Chatham Elementary.

Photo triptych of Phillip Shabazz residencyNC poet Phillip Shabazz brought the art of poetry to Willow Oak Montessori.

Triptych of students sewing and Willa Brigham assisting one studentEmmy Award-winning artist Willa Brigham stitched together poems, songs, and stories at Woods Charter.

Photo triptych of Howard Craft, female student performing with Mike Wiley, and boy wearing glasses seated at desk, smiling and waving at cameraMike Wiley brought the story of Henry Box Brown to Chatham Grove and JS Waters with One Noble Journey.

Photo triptych L to R: students smiling and cheering; African man in traditional dress holding drum skins for two female studentsThe Magic of African Rhythm introduced Silk Hope School students to drumming, dancing, and an ancient art form.

Triptych of photos from Phillip Shabazz residency L to R: a black man in a sweater vest sits in front of a group of students sitting on the floor; closer image of black man sitting in front of students; photo of student writingPittsboro Elementary students enjoyed the freedom of writing poetry with Phillip Shabazz.

Photo triptych of Black Box Dance Theatre residenciesBlack Box Dance Theatre set history and math lessons to a new beat at Virginia Cross and Perry Harrison.

Triptych of Black Box Dance residency; L to R smiling boy; woman raising hand in the air;Man playing guitar in front of a group of seated studentsFlamenco Vivo Carlota Santana introduced students at Siler City Elementary and Bennett School to the art of flamenco.

Triptych of Diali Cissokho residency; L to R photo of female student dancing; photo of Diali, a black man wearing a white dashiki; photo of male student playing drum and laughing.West African musician Diali Cissokho brought the art of his homeland to Bonlee school with drumming, dancing, and singing.

Triptych of Diali Cissokho residency; L to R students playing drums; Diali, a black man playing drums in front of seated students; male and female students dancingChatham Charter students had a blast with Diali Cissokho, complete with drumming, dancing, and smiles.

Photo triptych of John Brown Quartet playing for Moncure SchoolGrammy-nominated John Brown jazzed things up at Moncure school.

Triptych of photos L to R: screenshot of Zoom classroom; professional dancers in costume; screenshot of Zoom classroomStudents of the Virtual Academy got to enjoy a Black Box Dance Theatre residency, too!

Support for Artists-in-Schools

Our Artists-in-Schools residencies are made possible with support from Chatham County and community partners. Additionally, this project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

We know the arts can save lives. Learn how you can support these meaningful experiences for Chatham county kids by visiting HERE!

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By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured |

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AIS Stories from the 2023/24 Season

Sparking Creativity: Blackspace’s Beat Making Lab at Chatham Middle featuring Grammy-nominee Pierce Freelon
Photo of Black man with dreads showing 3 middle school students the mixing board

Movement Matters: Silk Hope School and Gaspard&Dancers
Students play a game of making different shapes with their bodies through dance with the help of professional instructors inside a school multipurpose room.

Poetic Pursuits: Phillip Shabazz at Perry Harrison Elementary

Igniting the Flame of Flamenco: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at Moncure School

Mike Wiley’s Masterful Residency: Teaching through Theatre at Bennett and Bonlee School

Black Box Dancers Delight Fourth Graders at Pittsboro Elementary
Black Box dancers lead fourth graders in dance at Pittsboro Elementary.

Poet Phillip Shabazz Supports Fifth Graders at North Chatham Elementary
Poet Phillip Shabazz instructs a class of fifth grade students on poetry writing.

Black Box Residency Bursts with Creativity and Collaboration at J.S. Waters School

Diali Cissokho Dives Into Drumming with Siler City Elementary Fifth-Graders
Photo of three smiling boys, two brown and one black, sitting playing drums

Chatham Grove Elementary Students’ Sensational Safari with The Magic of African Rhythm
A young Black boy and a young white girl printmaking in classroom

Diali Cissokho Drums and Dances alongside Fifth-Graders at Virginia Cross Elementary

From the Horse’s Mouth…

Don’t take it from us! See what Chatham County students, teachers and administrators are saying about their Artists-in-Schools experiences.

  • “Children were so excited to write and to share. They all came away talking about writing and wanting to talk about poetry. They looked forward to his [Phillip Shabazz] visits each day.” –Classroom Teacher
  • Photo of black man in sweater vest, seated, assisting a female student.
  • “It felt relieving and comforting to express myself during the workshop.” –6th grade student
  • “I really liked showing my feelings in my work.” –4th grade student
  • “This is my 4th time in this school division participating with an artist residency. They have all been wonderful. It is a great opportunity for students to learn in different ways. My hope is for this to be available to us every year.” –Classroom teacher
  • Photo of Black Box Dance Theatre's Stephen leading Virginia Cross students
  • “It made me feel happy because I got to use my imagination.” –5th grade student
  • “It felt good for me to release all my emotions.” –5th grade student
  • Photo of boy with ponytail, with head thrown back in laughter
  • “The students talked about the experience for a week after.” –Classroom teacher
  • “Watching the kids put their plan into action for the performance and actually dance, all while doing so in front of their peers is the reason we do this…The experience was amazing!” –Elementary Assistant Principal
  • “I have a student that is a newcomer to our school, as well as to our country. She found great comfort in being able to communicate with instructors in her native language and showed such enthusiasm in her willingness to participate. It was beautiful. We would welcome the opportunity again in the future!”  –K-8 Principal
  • Photo of Flamenco performer raising her hand in a choreographed movement, with students following behind her
  • “It felt good to be myself in school.” –6th grade student
  • “I personally saw students who, in my experience, have never been willing to speak in a group, let alone dance, do both without fear or hesitation.  Students who participated have asked to join band – they want to have more opportunities to participate in music.  Students in subsequent meetings have asked to learn more about Senegalese cultures.” –K-8 Music teacher
  • “It felt like the best days ever.” –5th grade student
  • Aya Shabu, in front, leads a group of students in an African dance

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