Artists-in-Schools Initiative - Chatham Arts Council

Does your idea of art in school involve making leaf impressions with crayons and white paper? Gluing popsicle sticks together to make picture frames? Our Artists-in-Schools Initiative is here to change all that.

Since 2015, CAC has brought professional teaching artists into schools to support math, science, language, and history curricula. Through interactive, engaging workshops taught by nationally acclaimed theatre artists, performance artists, dancers, poets, Grammy-nominated musicians, African drummers, and Emmy-winning digital music artists, students have unique opportunities to experience new outlets for emotional expression and new pathways for learning.

Through artistic immersion, the program helps foster a personal connection for students to a variety of academic lessons. What does this look like?

Learning and reinforcing math principles, like fractions, through dance choreography;
Science and history lessons are investigated with clever raps about topics such as the Revolutionary War and Einstein’s Theory of Relativity;
Exploring math through music and rhythm; or
Learning various writing styles and methods through multiple poetry forms.

Three laughing boys sit holding and playing drums

Creating New Outlets for Emotional Expression

Mental health is taking a more prominent role in our national conversation, especially when it comes to children. Right here in Chatham County, the Chatham Health Alliance tells us that one-third of adults in the county have been diagnosed with depression or anxiety. But more concerning is this: 26.1 % of Chatham middle school students say they’ve seriously thought about suicide, 13.6% of them have at some point attempted to take their own lives. That’s 1 in 7 middle school children in our community.

Poet Phillip Shabazz instructs a class of fifth grade students on poetry writing.

Studies from around the world show that engaging in the arts can help boost confidence, make kids feel more engaged, more resilient. While experts suspect that 50% of the world’s population struggles with mental health issues by the time they’re 40, research shows that art can relieve anxiety, depression, and stress.

A young Black boy and a young white girl printmaking in classroom

Photo of boy with ponytail, with head thrown back in laughter

The benefits of arts engagement don’t end with lower cortisol levels. Did you know that students involved in the arts are:

Four times as likely to be recognized for academic achievement;
Four times more likely to participate in a math or science fair;
Three times more likely to be elected to class office?

A group of students perform modern dance

Support this vital Artists-in-Schools Initiative!

We have an ambitious goal to be in all twenty-two public schools in Chatham County. We’re on track to make Chatham the first county in the state to do that! Our program is unique in that we never ask teacher, principals, or administrators to find funding to participate. We fully fund each residency with support from individual donors and local business, as well as through our partnerships with NC Arts Council and Chatham County. You can help by giving today! There are a number of opportunities for sponsorship and individual giving.

Artists-in-Schools is made possible through partnerships with Chatham County, Chatham County Schools, and North Carolina Arts Council.

Diali stands in front of a girl encouraging her to play her drum

All photos by Andrea Akin.

Creating New Outlets for Emotional Expression

Support this vital Artists-in-Schools Initiative!

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