Chatham Arts Council

We nurture creative thinkers

  • Arts Calendar
  • About
    • Our Who, What, Why, and How
    • Our Past
    • Our Friends
    • Our Press
    • Our Contact Info
    • Employment
  • Resilient Kids
    • Artists-in-Schools Initiative
      • Announcing the 2026-2027 Artists-in-Schools Season
      • Artists-in-Schools 2026-27 Schedule
    • ClydeFEST
      • Celebrating Clyde Jones
      • ClydeFEST 2025 was a Joy!
      • ClydeFEST Sponsor Benefits
  • Vibrant Communities
    • Creative Placemaking
      • Farm to Story
      • The Community Indigo Quilting Project
      • Robeson Creek Greenway
    • Grantmaking and Commissions
      • JumpstART Commissions
      • Grassroots Arts Grants (Closed for 2026-27)
      • Artist Support Grants (Closed for 2026-27)
      • Emerging Artist Grants (Applications OPEN)
      • Arts + Equity Initiative Artists :: 2024-25 Season
    • Meet This Artist
    • Arts Directory
  • GIVE
    • Individuals & Families
    • Businesses & Groups
    • Who Values Arts

Search Chatham Arts Council

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 |

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

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

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • …
  • 11
  • Next Page »

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

PO Box 418
Pittsboro, NC 27312
919-542-0394
Email Us

 

Subscribe to Our E-News

Proud member of Arts NC and Designated County Partner to the NC Arts Council
Copyright © 2026 Chatham Arts Council • Website by Tomatillo Design