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June 6, 2023

Black Box Dance Theatre and Virtual Academy Zoom!

Triptych of photos L to R: screenshot of Zoom classroom; professional dancers in costume; screenshot of Zoom classroom

When Virtual Academy students in grades four through six shared one word to describe the first day of virtual dance workshops with Black Box Dance Theatre this May, their responses included: interesting, confusing, hilarious, fun, tiring, relaxing, different, and new.  Unsure of how seamless learning a rap and a choreographed dance would be on their… 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, Arts for Resilient Kids, Chatham County Schools, dance, virtual academy, virtual school

June 6, 2023

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Spices Things Up at Siler City Elementary and Bennett School

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 students

Can you hear the click, click, click of the castanets? ¡Ole!  In February, dancers with the Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Dance Company, one of America’s premier flamenco companies with home bases in New York and Durham, strutted their way through performances and workshops with fifth and sixth graders at Bennett School and fifth graders at… Read More →

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, Bennett, flamenco, Jazz, John Brown Quartet, Siler City

June 6, 2023

Diali Cissokho Brings Smiles and Beats to Chatham Charter

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 dancing

“One student … told me that he had been sharing what he learned at home with his family and practicing on the dinner table. That brought me a lot of joy,” shared Diali.

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, Chatham Charter, Diali Cissokho, drums

June 6, 2023

The John Brown Quartet Jazzes Things Up at Moncure School

Photo triptych of John Brown Quartet playing for Moncure School

The performance time was up for the John Brown Quartet, but at the end of their original set, a Bennett teacher asked if the band had time to play just one more. Happy to oblige, the band played a final tune by the great Duke Ellington. “Art is a safe and comforting space that is… Read More →

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, Jazz, John Brown Quartet, moncure

May 31, 2023

Drumming, Dancing, and an Ancient Art Form Flow into Silk Hope

Photo triptych L to R: students smiling and cheering; African man in traditional dress holding drum skins for two female students

The Magic of African Rhythm (TMOAR) visited Silk Hope for a 3-day Artists-in-Schools residency jam-packed with African dancing, storytelling, drumming, music-making, and the ancient art of Adinkra printing. Members of the Shabu family led workshops for fourth and fifth graders, and even performed for students and faculty. Students got up close and personal with African… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: Adrinka, African dance, AIS, artists-in-schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, dancing, drumming, Magic of African Rhythm, print blocks, Silk Hope, storytelling

May 17, 2023

Mike Wiley Brings the Story of Henry “Box” Brown to Chatham Grove and JS Waters

Photo triptych of Howard Craft, female student performing with Mike Wiley, and boy wearing glasses seated at desk, smiling and waving at camera

Mike Wiley is a story teller, and he had a thrilling and important one for the kids at Chatham Grove and JS Waters. It was the story of Henry “Box” Brown, a slave who shipped himself to freedom in a wooden crate. Mike’s one-man play, One Noble Journey, was a smashing success with students on the… Read More →

By Andrea Akin | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: actor, AIS, artists-in-schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Howard Craft, Mike Wiley, playwright, poet, theatre, Writing, writing process, Writing teacher

May 9, 2023

Willa Brigham Stitches Together Songs, Poems, and Stories at Woods Charter

Triptych of students sewing and Willa Brigham assisting one student

  November brought cooler temperatures to Chatham County, but in a classroom at Woods Charter, the warmth of two-time Emmy award winner Willa Brigham was a welcome change. Students were introduced to the art of story-telling through textiles in this brand-new Artists-in-Schools residency. Willa demonstrated the basics of sewing, including how to correctly hold scissors,… 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, Arts for Resilient Kids, textiles, willa brigham, woods, woods charter

November 1, 2022

Phillip Shabazz Brings the Power of Poetry to Willow Oak

Photo triptych of Phillip Shabazz residency

NC poet Phillip Shabazz delighted the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade combined classes at Willow Oak Montessori Charter, making our second Artists-in-Schools residency of the season a smashing success. “Imagination is an unlimited gift we call art. Everywhere you look is art. Even science, even math, is art.” –Phillip Shabazz, Artists-in-Schools residency Students spent three… Read More →

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

October 20, 2022

Gaspard&Dancers Kicks Off New Season of Artists-in-Schools

Photo featuring Gaspard dancer leading students

Our 2022-23 Artists-in-Schools season kicked off at North Chatham Elementary with Durham-based dance company Gaspard&Dancers in an arts residency sponsored by Lily’s Golden Birthday. Founded by former Pilobolus dancer, Gaspard Louis, the G&D ensemble includes dancers from all over the country. They gathered for their fall tour this year, with big stops in Durham and… Read More →

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

September 15, 2022

Arts for Resilient Kids 2022-23 Season

Members of Flamenco Vivo teach kids at Virginia Cross

We are thrilled to announce our 2022-23 Arts for Resilient Kids season! We’re kicking off Artists-in-Schools with new AIS educators Gaspard&Dancers. Truck-and-Trailer, ArtAssist for Kids, and ClydeFEST are all back, too!  SEPTEMBER • Gaspard&Dancers at North Chatham Elementary   Sept. 19-21 OCTOBER • Phillip Shabazz at Willow Oak   Oct. 12-14 NOVEMBER • Truck-and-Trailer Roving… Read More →

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

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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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