Chatham Arts Council

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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 |

May 22, 2019

Artists-in-Schools: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Spanish Dance Residencies Bring Out the Inner Artists in Students at Two Chatham County Schools

Spanish dancing. It’s not the typical after-school activity for students at Moncure School or North Chatham Elementary. When Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana arrived at those two Chatham county schools this… Read More →

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

May 9, 2019

Artists-in-Schools: JS Waters Students Open to New Experience with The Magic of African Rhythm

Just days before spring break, something magical happened at JS Waters School. Something that could make you forget where you were and transport you to another continent. You could hear… Read More →

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

February 4, 2019

Artists-in-Schools: Mike Wiley Inspires Student Confidence in Two Chatham County Schools

In early January, nationally known theater artist, Mike Wiley, made his way to Siler City Elementary and Silk Hope School as part of the Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools initiative. His… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: Arts education, Arts in Education, Chatham County, Collaboration, Creative Process

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AIS Stories from the 2023/24 Season

Sparking Creativity: Blackspace’s Beat Making Lab at Chatham Middle featuring Grammy-nominee Pierce Freelon
Photo of Black man with dreads showing 3 middle school students the mixing board

Movement Matters: Silk Hope School and Gaspard&Dancers
Students play a game of making different shapes with their bodies through dance with the help of professional instructors inside a school multipurpose room.

Poetic Pursuits: Phillip Shabazz at Perry Harrison Elementary

Igniting the Flame of Flamenco: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana at Moncure School

Mike Wiley’s Masterful Residency: Teaching through Theatre at Bennett and Bonlee School

Black Box Dancers Delight Fourth Graders at Pittsboro Elementary
Black Box dancers lead fourth graders in dance at Pittsboro Elementary.

Poet Phillip Shabazz Supports Fifth Graders at North Chatham Elementary
Poet Phillip Shabazz instructs a class of fifth grade students on poetry writing.

Black Box Residency Bursts with Creativity and Collaboration at J.S. Waters School

Diali Cissokho Dives Into Drumming with Siler City Elementary Fifth-Graders
Photo of three smiling boys, two brown and one black, sitting playing drums

Chatham Grove Elementary Students’ Sensational Safari with The Magic of African Rhythm
A young Black boy and a young white girl printmaking in classroom

Diali Cissokho Drums and Dances alongside Fifth-Graders at Virginia Cross Elementary

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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