Chatham Arts Council

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March 13, 2025

Black Box Dance Theatre Collaborates with the Chatham Middle “Ram-ily”

This February, seventh-graders at Chatham Middle experienced a Chatham Artists-in-Schools dance residency with the artists of Black Box Dance Theatre–and it was linked with math concepts, too! Made possible by the cARTwheels funding through the NC Arts Council and private sponsorship through Carolina Credit Union Foundation, the week-long visit included dance workshops with students–and also… Read More →

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, art residency, artists-in-schools, Arts education, black box, black box dance, black box dance theatre, Chatham Middle, Chatham Middle School, dance, dance residency, school performance, seventh grade, Siler City

November 15, 2024

Music Production and Poetry at Bonlee School

“The assembly, as a whole, created a moment of unity and positivity for everyone, and students’ musical creations were the spark for that experience,” shared AIG Teacher, Mark Spring.

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, artist residency, artists-in-schools, Arts education, beat making lab, Blackspace, bonlee school, fifth grade, music making, music production, music residency, pierce freelon, Poetry, Rem, seventh grade, songwriting, Writing

November 8, 2024

Flourishing with Flamenco at North Chatham and Pollard Middle

A flamenco dancer and students

This October, the tenth year of the Artists-in-Schools program initiative in Chatham County Schools, began with a flourish of Flamenco, led by four multi-talented artists from the Durham-based Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Dance Company! Interactive Performances :: North Chatham Elementary and Margaret B. Pollard Middle School Two schools–North Chatham Elementary and Margaret B. Pollard Middle… Read More →

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, art residency, artists-in-schools, Arts education, carlota santana, cultural event, dance, dance residency, fifth grade, flamenco, flamenco vivo, guitar, margaret b pollard middle school, Margaret Pollard Middle School, mbp, mbp middle, nce, north chatham, North Chatham Elementary, school performance, seventh grade, Singing

March 14, 2024

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

Photo trio from L to R: two girls stand smiling with their arms around each other; female dancer leans forward as male dancer leans on her back; boy stands smiling clapping hands together.

Two groups of students–the fifth and seventh grade at J.S. Waters School–ran into the multi-purpose room to greet the lead teaching artists of Black Box Dance Theatre: Natalie, Alfredo, and Kate.  “We want to experience something new together! Go on this journey with us!” Natalie urged as the students gathered in a large circle.   Giggles… Read More →

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, art residency, artists-in-schools, Arts education, black box, black box dance, black box dance theatre, dance, dance residency, fifth grade, js waters, k8 school, school performance, seventh grade

January 5, 2024

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

Photo trio from L to R: An actor in historical costume stands with boy in floppy hat; Girl stands next to same actor, both with heads raised to the sky; students laughing in class.

“This was absolutely great!” Board of Education members Gary Leonard and David Hamm were enthusiastic after sitting with Bennett School students and teachers to watch actor and playwright Mike Wiley’s solo performance of “One Noble Journey.” The play’s narrative brought to life the remarkable journey of Henry “Box” Brown, a courageous slave who shipped himself… Read More →

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: acting, actor, AIS, art residency, artists-in-schools, Arts education, dance residency, fifth grade, Howard Craft, Mike Wiley, one noble journey, play, playwright, school performance, seventh grade, theatre, Writing, writing residency

December 7, 2023

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

Photo trio from L to R: Woman stands next to boy in dance pose with hands above head; woman in traditional flamenco dress stands in dance pose; boys seated in bleachers all smiling and raising their hands.

It was the start of an ordinary school week when an extraordinary opportunity knocked on the doors of Moncure School. A dance residency–led by four international artists from the Durham-based Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Dance Company–had arrived! The Performance: Where Education Meets Entertainment The Moncure gym’s wooden floor echoed the rap-tap-tap of the dancers as… Read More →

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, art residency, artists-in-schools, Arts education, carlota santana, cultural event, dance, dance residency, fifth grade, flamenco, flamenco vivo, guitar, moncure school, school performance, seventh grade, Singing

October 31, 2023

Sparking Creativity: Blackspace’s Beat Making Lab at Chatham Middle

Photo trio L to R: boy in black tshirt stands with man in black hat and gray sweater; Center - Man with dreads, wearing denim jacket and holding a mic; girl is seated with laptop while man squats next to her

“The assembly, as a whole, created a moment of unity and positivity for everyone, and students’ musical creations were the spark for that experience,” shared AIG Teacher, Mark Spring.

By Jessica Rigsbee | Filed Under: Artists-in-Schools, Arts for Resilient Kids, Arts in Education, Slideshow Featured | Tagged With: AIS, artist residency, artists-in-schools, Arts education, beat making lab, Blackspace, Chatham Middle, music making, music residency, pierce freelon, Rem, seventh grade

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