Chatham Arts Council

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Search Chatham Arts Council

May 4, 2020

Taking Artists-in-Schools to Students Across Chatham with Online Arts Videos

Many members of the Chatham Arts Council’s staff now find themselves with children schooling at home. You too? If so, we have some exciting new arts curricula to share with… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, artists, Arts education, Chatham County, Children, Cultural Events, Music

February 17, 2020

Artists-in-Schools: Pittsboro Elementary School Embraces Every Beat with West African Musician Diali Cissokho

Diali (pronounced “Jelly”) Cissokho arrives at Pittsboro Elementary School bright and early. He has 25 drums to unload and set up so that he’s ready to teach 3rd grade classes… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, artists, Arts education, Chatham County, Children, Cultural Events, Music

December 10, 2019

Artists-in-Schools: The Power of Ancient Dance Takes Hold of J.S. Waters School with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana

The excitement builds at J.S. Waters School as students eagerly await their performance. They’re sitting in neat rows on the floor, not exactly sure of what they’re here to see,… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured, Uncategorized | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, artists, Arts education, Arts in Education, Chatham County, Children, Cultural Events, Music, performance

November 26, 2019

Artists-in-Schools: A Deep Dive into Civil Rights History and Literature with Mike Wiley

If you know Mike Wiley, you know that he is full of expression, captures an audience almost instantly, and finds a way to pull out the inner theater artist in… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, acting, Arts education, author, Chatham County, Children, Community, Creative Culture, performance, theater, Writing

November 20, 2019

Artists-in-Schools: West African Musician Diali Cissokho Unifies Students, Drumming to a Central Beat

Stretching across the multi-purpose room, you see an audience full of wide eyes and slight restlessness. The students at North Chatham Elementary are curious about the performance they’re about to… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, artists, Arts education, Chatham County, Children, Cultural Events, Music

October 21, 2019

The Chatham Experience 2019: Exceptional Talent, Unique Collaborations, HOT Fun!

True. Chatham. Experience. If you were lucky enough to attend The Chatham Experience: Benefit Concert for Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative in late September, you know what we’re talking about. Only… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Events, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, Art Show, Arts education, Chatham County, Collaboration, Community, Cultural Events, Music, performance

September 25, 2019

Go See This: The Chatham Experience

As new members of our Chatham County community, Chatham Park is powering our Go See This series this year because art is an integral part of Chatham County’s identity. They join us… Read More →

By Selbe Bartlett | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Events, Go See This, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, Art Show, artists, Arts education, Arts in Education, Bluegrass Experience, Chatham Beverage District, Chatham County, Chatham Rabbits, Children, Craft cocktails, Creative Culture, Cultural Events, Diali Cissokho, live music, performance, Smelt, spirits, tommy edwards

July 15, 2019

The Chatham Experience 2019: Save the Date!

Chatham Rabbits, The Bluegrass Experience, and Diali Cissokho all on one stage in the Chatham Beverage District?! Yep! Save the date for The Chatham Experience: Benefit Concert for Chatham Arts… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Events, Slideshow Featured |

July 2, 2019

Artists-in-Schools: Curriculum Come to Life in Two Chatham County Elementary Schools

History, math, science – sometimes everyday curriculum can be difficult to grasp for elementary school students. The concept seems unfamiliar or too far removed from everyday life to grasp. But… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured |

June 24, 2019

Artists-in-Schools: The West African Kora Makes its Way to Three Chatham County Schools, Thanks to the Talented Diali Cissokho

This May, three Chatham County schools experienced an interactive performance of West African kora (a West African jumbo spike-lute with 22 strings made from fishing line), singing, and drumming with… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured, Uncategorized |

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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

AIS Stories from Last Season (2022/23)

Gaspard&Dancers at North Chatham Elementary

Phillip Shabazz at Willow Oak Montessori

Willa Brigham at Woods Charter

Mike Wiley at Chatham Grove and JS Waters

Black Box Dance Theatre at Virginia Cross and Perry Harrison

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at Siler City Elementary and Bennett School

Diali Cissokho at Bonlee School

Diali Cissokho at Chatham Charter

John Brown Band at Moncure School

Black Box Dance Theatre at Virtual Academy


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