Artists-in-Schools Initiative

Does your idea of art in school involve making leaf impressions with crayons and white paper? Gluing popsicle sticks together to make picture frames? Our Artists-in-Schools Initiative is here to change all that.

Since 2015, CAC has brought professional teaching artists into schools to support math, science, language, and history curricula. Through interactive, engaging workshops taught by nationally acclaimed theatre artists, performance artists, dancers, poets, Grammy-nominated musicians, African drummers, and Emmy-winning digital music artists, students have unique opportunities to experience new outlets for emotional expression and new pathways for learning.

Through artistic immersion, the program helps foster a personal connection for students to a variety of academic lessons. What does this look like?

Learning and reinforcing math principles, like fractions, through dance choreography;
Science and history lessons are investigated with clever raps about topics such as the Revolutionary War and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity;
Exploring math through music and rhythm; or
Learning various writing styles and methods through multiple poetry forms.

Photo of Willa assisting a student

Photo of Black Box's performance with students at Perry Harrison Elementary

Two second grade students dance surrounded by classmates playing drums

Creating New Outlets for Emotional Expression

Mental health is taking a more prominent role in our national conversation, especially when it comes to children. Right here in Chatham County, the Chatham Health Alliance tells us that one-third of adults in the county have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety. But more concerning is this: 26.1 % of Chatham middle school students say they’ve seriously though about suicide, 13.6% of them have at some point attempted to take their own lives. That’s 1 in 7 middle school children in our community.

Photo of Howard Craft standing beside a student, seated at a desk, both reviewing the writing the student has done

Studies from around the world show that engaging in the arts can help boost confidence, make kids feel more engaged, more resilient. While experts suspect that 50% of the world’s population struggles with mental health issues by the time they’re 40, research shows that art can relieve anxiety, depression, and stress.

Girl sitting at a desk, painting an Adinkra print block

Photo of boy with ponytail, with head thrown back in laughter

The benefits of arts engagement don’t end with lower cortisol levels. Did you know that students involved in the arts are:

Four times as likely to be recognized for academic achievement;
Four times more likely to participate in a math or science fair;
Three times more likely to be elected to class office?

Support this vital Artists-in-Schools program!

We have an ambitious goal to be in every public school in Chatham County. When we get there, we’ll be the first and only county in the state to do it! You can help us reach that goal by giving today! There are a number of opportunities for sponsorship or individual giving.

Artists-in-Schools is made possible through partnerships with Chatham County, Chatham County Schools, and North Carolina Arts Council.

Aya Shabu, in front, leads a group of students in an African dance

Two boys crouch low, facing each other in a dance exercise

Creating New Outlets for Emotional Expression

Support this vital Artists-in-Schools program!

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Local Businesses Investing in the Arts