For over a decade, The ArtsCenter in Carrboro has brought immersive, artistic experiences directly to the elementary school classroom through teaching artists.
The center collaborates with four Title I Orange County elementary schools to bring various areas of art to nearly 2,000 students through their Artist in Residency Program.
The ArtsCenter’s AIR Program coordinator Micky Hickey said the program hires artists across disciplines to host five-session residencies at the schools.
This school year’s program has five core artists — Charles Pettee, Willa Brigham, Braima Moiwai, Virginia Queen and Jason Abide— each with their own unique specialties, from bluegrass and storytelling to percussion, dance and ceramics.
Pettee is a folk musician who uses his music as a way to grab students’ attention. He said he uses bluegrass to teach them about the cultures of where it originated in Africa and Europe and the difficulties and beauties of the cultures in the United States.
He teaches students about singing and writing songs, which he said gives them an outlet for expression.
“There are a lot of hard things, and art is therapeutic, optimistic, inclusive and hopeful and is just a positive thing to engage in,” he said. “And so we’re coming in and really just trying to bring that spirit in.”
Pettee said he hopes the residency’s lessons provide enrichment for the students and even fresh perspectives and ideas for their teachers. He also has an enthusiasm for diversity, equity and inclusion within the classroom, a passion he shares with The ArtsCenter itself.
“We are here to educate and inspire artistic creativity to enrich the lives of all people of all ages,” The ArtsCenter’s Director of Marketing Lynn Lee said. “And I think one thing that we really want to focus on is making sure that all members of the community are welcome at The ArtsCenter.”
