Chatham Arts Council

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November 14, 2023

Poetic Pursuits: Phillip Shabazz at Perry Harrison Elementary

Photo trio; young boy sits at desk with hand raised; Man with twists stands in front of class full of raised hands; young boy stands with paper and look of surprise on his face

As the second week of October rolled in, the weather began to cool, but the fifth-grade classrooms at Perry Harrison were warm and snug. Visiting artist-in-residence Poet Phillip Shabazz strolled in and boomed, “Good morning!” With that, students perked up, and they began . . . A Poetic Adventure Begins The theme of the week… Read More →

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, art residency, artists-in-schools, Arts education, fifth grade, perry harrison, phillip shabazz, poem creation, poet, Poetry, poetry slam, writing residency

October 31, 2023

Movement Matters: Silk Hope School and Gaspard&Dancers

Photo trio from L to R: Girl sitting and smiling at camera; Woman stands in group with arms raised; boy stands with arms raised above his head.

In the span of just a few transformative days, Silk Hope School kids got to experience the joy of dance. One fifth-grader summarized the experience: [I learned] “how to be more me.”

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: artists-in-schools, Arts education, dance residency, gaspard&dancers, silk hope school

October 31, 2023

Sparking Creativity: Blackspace’s Beat Making Lab at Chatham Middle

Photo trio L to R: boy in black tshirt stands with man in black hat and gray sweater; Center - Man with dreads, wearing denim jacket and holding a mic; girl is seated with laptop while man squats next to her

“The assembly, as a whole, created a moment of unity and positivity for everyone, and students’ musical creations were the spark for that experience,” shared AIG Teacher, Mark Spring.

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, artist residency, artists-in-schools, Arts education, beat making lab, Blackspace, Chatham Middle, music making, music residency, pierce freelon, Rem, seventh grade

September 26, 2023

Meet This Artist: Dr. Anthony D. Jackson

The arts didn’t just enter my life; the arts saved my life. We have to have a next generation of kids who understand respect and can create beauty. And I think that’s what’s missing right now. That’s where kindness is planted.

By Heather O'Shaughnessy | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, Meet this Artist, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: arts advocacy, Arts education, Chatham County, Chatham County Schools, Dr. Jackson, musician, singer

September 12, 2023

Artists-in-Schools 2023-24 Season

Photo featuring Gaspard dancer leading students

We are so excited to announce our 2023-24 Artists-in-Schools season–our ninth! We know the arts save lives, so we’re thrilled to continue bringing professional teaching artists into Chatham County classrooms! For the past eight years, our Artists-in-Schools Initiative has been growing, and we’re proud to bring our first traditional middle school residency to Chatham Middle… Read More →

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

September 12, 2023

Go See This: Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival featuring Blackspace and Chatham Middle School

an aerial view of Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival with pavilion tents and audience

This year’s headliners include the legendary Mavis Staples, GRAMMY award-winning reggae star Kabaka Pyramid, widely-followed Donna the Buffalo, and genre-defying Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country. The four-day festival is packed with musical talent to light up multiple stages.

By Heather O'Shaughnessy | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Go See This, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: beat making, Blackspace, Chatham Middle School, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Donna the Buffalo, hip hop, Kabaka Pyramid, Mavis Staples, reggae, Shakori Hills

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… Read More →

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

June 6, 2023

Phillip Shabazz Brings Poetry to the Pittsboro Elementary Pandas

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 writing

North Carolina poet Phillip Shabazz brought the joy of the written word to Pittsboro Elementary this season, and a good time was had by all–even some administrators! Fourth-grade students were introduced to a number of different types of poems–rhyming couplets, lunes (3-line, 11-word poems), list poems, odes, and more. Mr. Shabazz also had students read… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, artists-in-schools, phillip shabazz, pittsboro elementary, Poetry

June 6, 2023

Diali Cissokho Introduces a Little Bit of West Africa to Bonlee School

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.

“Diali is truly remarkable with the kids!” said a Bonlee custodian who watched the workshops and performance. “He makes me want to have this kind of joy every day.”

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: African dance, AIS, artists-in-schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Bonlee, Diali Cissokho, drumming

June 6, 2023

Black Box Dance Theatre Sets History and Math Lessons to a New Beat at Virginia Cross and Perry Harrison

Photo triptych of Black Box Dance Theatre residencies

In January and February, the magic of movement was in full swing with the fifth graders of Perry Harrison and Virginia Cross elementary schools!

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, artists-in-schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, black box dance theatre, dance, math, perry harrison, revolutionary war, Virginia Cross

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AIS Stories from the 2026/27 Season

Clap. Strum. Dance. Olé!: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at Bennett and Bonlee Schools
A flamenco dancer is a red floral dress with turquoise scarf holds a fan above her head while two musicians sit on stage near her - one singing in clapping, the other playing a guitar.

All That Jazz, and Then Some!: John Brown’s Little Big Band at Northwood and Seaforth High Schools
John Brown's little big band playing on stage with a pink and teal background.

Push. Pull. Leap. Fly: Black Box Dance Theatre at Siler City Elementary
Black Box Dance Theatre dancers in flowing skirts perform for students in the Siler City Elementary gym.

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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