Chatham Arts Council

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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 see and anxious for it to begin. As soon as West African musician, Diali (pronounced “Jelly”) Cissokho, begins playing the kora (a West African jumbo… 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 in Chatham could you go to a unique venue like the Chatham Beverage District, enjoy local eco-friendly food and drink while listening to well-known musicians… 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

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 when a student becomes an integral part of dissecting and reconstructing it in a different way, the ability to connect with curriculum concepts is more… 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 Diali Cissokho, as part of the Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative. Bennett K-8 School, Virginia Cross, and Perry Harrison Elementary students and teachers were called… 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 March as part of the Artists-in-Schools Initiative, Spanish dancing became THE ticket to eliciting smiles and big participation–and to unleashing the inner artist in students… 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 African drums beating. You could see students dancing and creating visual art with Adinkra (symbols that represent concepts). You could listen intently to cultural storytelling…. 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 goal was to weave literacy and history curricula into school-wide performances of Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart and classroom workshops. But what he accomplished, was… 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

January 23, 2019

Dorrie Casey’s Pop-Up He(art) Event Spreads Love (and Hearts!) All Around

Do you He(art) hearts and Valentine’s? If you do, you’re in for a treat. Pop in to the Chatham Arts Council’s pop-up show featuring new He(art) works by local artist, Dorrie Casey. The event is taking place Saturday, February 9 from 1-4pm at the Chatham Arts Council gallery space (118 West Street, Pittsboro) to celebrate… Read More →

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

December 6, 2018

Calling All Art Lovers for the I He(art) Art Campaign

Art. It’s more than beauty and conceptual ideas. It’s more than visual works and performances. It’s something that can connect us all. Think about a designer, who is by nature, an artist. He or she has the opportunity to work across disciplines, blending the best aspects of art, engineering, research, and science. Making them all… Read More →

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

December 5, 2018

One More Year of Reveling in the Fiddle: Pickin’ 2018 Sure Was Fun!

Well, it’s come and gone – Pickin’: A Music Celebration, that is. It’s so hard to believe Chatham Arts Council’s Annual Benefit for Artists-in-Schools is over. All who gathered in mid-November at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center were in for a treat as they listened to Chatham County’s own Tommy Edwards and The… Read More →

By April Starling | Filed Under: Arts in Education, ChathamArts News, County Happenings, Slideshow Featured, Uncategorized | Tagged With: #ArtsEd, Arts education, Chatham County, Community, live music, performance

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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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