Chatham Arts Council

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November 8, 2016

Successful Artists-in-Schools Initiative Expands in Year 2

Following an exciting pilot year of residencies, performances, and professional development workshops, Chatham Arts Council (CAC) and Chatham County Schools (CCS) are expanding their collaboration for the coming year. The Chatham Artists-in-Schools Initiative will continue working in Year 1 School Residency Programs and add residencies and performances at new schools as well. This work is… Read More →

By Lesley Landis | Filed Under: Arts in Education, ChathamArts News | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, Arts education, Arts in Education, Arts Residencies, Community, dance, performance, Siler City, theater

July 19, 2016

New Home, New Board Members, New Year

Arts Council offices

In the last two years, the Chatham Arts Council introduced a new logo, new brand, new mission focus, and new website. As we enter the new fiscal year, there’s even more new, minty freshness to report. We recently moved to a new location while continuing to strengthen our presence in the county through programs that “invest in… Read More →

By Lesley Landis | Filed Under: Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Events | Tagged With: Arts Residencies, clydeFEST, Community, Pittsboro, Siler City

May 4, 2016

Save the Date for ClydeFEST: September 24, 2016

Painted Critter Cut-outs 2015. Photo by onfranklinandmain.com.

Judging by the lovely emails and phone calls we’ve been getting, kids and parents from Chatham and beyond have definitely missed their annual visit to Critterville this spring! We are so grateful for your patience and support. Fear not! ClydeFEST 2016 is in the works for September 24! Yep, you read that right. ClydeFEST is… Read More →

By Cheryl Chamblee | Filed Under: Arts in Education, ClydeFEST, Events | Tagged With: clydeFEST, September 24

March 2, 2016

Arts Education Spotlight: March is Students’ Month to Shine

Arts Education Banner

It’s March! —That special month in the school year when we celebrate all things Arts. Youth Art Month (YAM), Theatre in Our Schools Month(TIOS), Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM), and Dance in our schools. In the fall, communities show support for arts education during National Arts in Education Week. March is the time for students… Read More →

By Gina Harrison | Filed Under: Arts in Education, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: Art Show, Arts education, Arts in Education, Arts Residencies, Bonlee, Chatham Middle, Community, Cultural Events, dance, Horton, Jordan-Matthews, Music, North Chatham Elementary, Northwood High School, Siler City Elementary, Virginia Cross, Visual Arts & Crafts

February 12, 2016

Arts Education Spotlight: Sharon Allen—Bit by Bit, Putting It Together

Sharon Allen, Chatham County Schools' Lead Art Teacher

Chatham County Schools’ (CCS) Arts Education faculty is a group of 42 educators—teaching visual arts, instrumental music, choral music, theatre arts, photography and dance—in 17 schools, in diverse communities, with students across a ten+ year age span. In addition to a teacher’s particular specialty, they also teach their discipline’s history, technique, performance, critical evaluation, and… Read More →

By Gina Harrison | Filed Under: Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: Arts Ed, Arts education, Arts in Education, Arts Residencies, Music

October 16, 2015

Meet This Artist: Serena Ebhardt Entertains, Educates & Enlightens

It’s not so much that you wouldn’t recognize Serena. It’s just that when you ask people if they know Serena Ebhardt, you’re likely to get so many different descriptions, you’d think they can’t possibly all be talking about the same woman. “She’s the petite, blond powerhouse—you know, the triple threat actor, singer, dancer, right? I saw her… Read More →

By Gina Harrison | Filed Under: Artist Close-Up, Arts in Education, Meet this Artist, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: Arts in Education, Arts Residencies, Collaboration, Creative Process, Music, performance, theater

September 16, 2015

Bringing Theatre Residencies to Chatham Elementary School Students

Distinguished Teaching Artists EbzB and Mike Wiley Bring Theatre Residencies to Chatham County Schools This Year

Imagine if Jackie Robinson, the all-star African-American baseball player, were still alive and able to share his first-hand account of how he pushed the color barrier in America. Would we see the courage in his gait? Hear the lilt of frustration in his voice? Some Chatham County students will have the opportunity to experience what… Read More →

By Gina Harrison | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: #ArtsEdWeek, #EncourageCreativity, Arts in Education, theater

September 15, 2015

Chatham Joins State in National Celebration

2015 National Arts in Education logo

In 2010, US House Resolution #275 designated the second week of September as “Arts in Education Week,” a time to focus a national spotlight on arts education and publically recognize and celebrate the positive impact arts education has for our students, schools, and communities. This week the Chatham Arts Council and Chatham County Schools join millions of… Read More →

By Gina Harrison | Filed Under: Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Uncategorized | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, #ArtsEdWeek, #CCNC, Arts in Education, Chatham County Schools, Pittsboro, Siler City

June 22, 2012

Annual Meeting: The State of ChathamArts

This is the address given by Board President Lesley Landis during the Annual Meeting for 2012: Welcome to the ChathamArts Annual Meeting. Your presence tonight makes you a shareholder of sorts in ChathamArts as some of our operational money comes from the admission you pay at the door. Thank you for supporting local! This year… Read More →

By Chatham Arts Council | Filed Under: Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings | Tagged With: Arts in Education, Bynum Front Porch, Collaboration, Creative Economy, Economic Development, Literary Arts, Media Arts, NCArts Incubator, Siler City

June 20, 2012

An Immersion at the Arts Integration Institute

So I have to admit I was  a little hesitant about going to this year’s workshop at The United Arts Council Arts Integration Institute, provided by the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County (supported in part by the N.C. Arts Council) and located at the Cary Arts Center. But why? After all it… Read More →

By Chatham Arts Council | Filed Under: Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, Events, Resources for Artists | Tagged With: Advocacy, Arts in Education, Collaboration, Creative Culture, Creative Economy, Creative Process, Cultural Events, Literary Arts, Media Arts, Visual Arts & Crafts

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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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