This is the year! Every single school in the Chatham County Schools system will experience the Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative–making Chatham the first county in the whole state to bring professional teaching artists into every public school, every year. That’s right! We’re talking poetry, Latin music, Flamenco dancing, West African drumming, music production and beat making, acting, creative writing, and more!
The arts can do amazing things for kids! Data shows the arts can help boost confidence, make kids feel more engaged and more resilient, and improve mental health by relieving anxiety, depression, and stress. And what’s more, through artists’ residencies, Chatham students will have the opportunity to make deeper connections to classroom curriculum. That’s why the CAC is so committed to our Artists-in-Schools Initiative. “While the research is clear, the joy on the students’ faces is even more impactful,” said Amanda Moran, CAC’s Director of Artists-in-Schools Initiative. “I love seeing how the students light up when they see these artists perform. It is pure magic that you just can’t describe unless you see it first hand.”
So….what do we have in store for the 2025-26 school year? We’re glad you’re curious! This year’s line-up includes:
- Mike Wiley (theatre): social studies, writing, history
- Black Box Dance Theatre (modern dance): science, math, history
- Diali Cissokho (West African music and storytelling): math, social studies, language arts
- Phillip Shabazz (poetry): writing and language arts
- John Brown Band led by an Emmy- and Grammy-nominated jazz musician (jazz/big band): social studies, history, math
- Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana (dance): language arts, social studies, history
- The Magic of African Rhythm (music and dance): social studies, science, language arts
- Blackspace Beat Making, an initiative led by Grammy-nominated Pierce Freelon (music): technology, language arts, entrepreneurship
- Luke Vandergriff (Latin music and instrument-making): math, science, engineering
- Priya Chellani Bollywood Dance (Bollywood dance): social studies, history
As in previous seasons, students will experience performances and take part in engaging workshops on a variety of subjects, helping bring core curriculum to life. The season will run from the fall through March.
After 10 years of connecting professional artists with local schools, we know how beneficial this program is. But just in case you’re not convinced, take heart in what student participants said about last year’s residencies:
- “I liked we were learning something I have never experienced before in my life.” – Chatham County seventh-grader in response to Diali Cissokho’s residency
- “I loved it! I felt like I could write 1,000 pages of poetry.” – Chatham County sixth-grader after a Phillip Shabazz residency
- “It helped me learn more responsibility, express myself, and to show up for my classmates.” –Chatham County fifth-grader in response to a Black Box Dance residency
- “We were able to express ourselves how we wanted to, we were not judged.”
– Chatham County fifth grader after The Magic of African Rhythm residency
The CAC’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative is made possible through partnerships with the North Carolina Arts Council, Chatham County, Chatham County Schools, and with support from generous individuals and businesses. If you’re inspired by our Artists-in-Schools line-up this school year, share some love! Please help support arts programming in Chatham County by clicking here.
2025-26 Artists-in-Schools Season
OCTOBER
- Mike Wiley Productions at Northwood High, October 1
- Mike Wiley Productions at Seaforth High, October 1
- Priya Chellani Bollywood Dance at Bennett School, October 13-17
- Priya Chellani Bollywood Dance at Bonlee School, October 13-17
- Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at Perry Harrison Elementary, October 20-22
- Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at Silk Hope School, October 20-22
- Blackspace Beat Making at Chatham Early College, October 27-31
- Blackspace Beat Making at Moncure School, October 27-31
NOVEMBER
- Luke Vandergriff Latin Music at Virginia Cross Elementary, November 5-7
- Diali Cissokho at Siler City Elementary, November 17-21
DECEMBER
- Phillip Shabazz at Chatham Middle, December 1-12
JANUARY
- Mike Wiley Productions (Henry Box Brown Performance) at George M. Horton Middle, January 5-9
FEBRUARY
- Black Box Dance Theatre at George M. Horton Middle, February 2-4
- John Brown Band at Jordan Matthews High with Chatham Central High, One Academy, and Chatham Early College, February 4
- Black Box Dance Theatre at Margaret B. Pollard Middle, February 9-13
- EbzB Productions at Chatham Grove Elementary, February 23-27
MARCH
- Phillip Shabazz at J.S. Waters School, March 9-13
- The Magic of African Rhythm at Pittsboro Elementary, March 19
- Diali Cissokho at North Chatham Elementary, March 23-27
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Photo Credit: Andrea Akin.