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The ArtsCenter:2013-2014 School Show Series 2
<br /> Learning about aspects of North Carolina history from a Cherokee storyteller, seeing ancient skills from
<br /> Chinese culture performed on stage, or hearing songs and stories from Latin America can bring history and
<br /> culture to life for students. For some students, stepping into The ArtsCenter's theater may be the first time
<br /> they have ever been in a professional performance space. Furthermore, engaging with history through an
<br /> interactive play, for example, can enhance classroom study. Using the arts as a means of teaching curriculum
<br /> embraces different ways of teaching and learning, thereby reaching students with different learning styles.
<br /> The ArtsCenter respectfully requests $1,500 from the Orange County Arts Commission to help subsidize the
<br /> artists' fees for the 2013-2014 School Show Series, which annually impacts thousands of youth in Orange
<br /> County. More specifically, this support would help make the following activities possible:
<br /> The School Show Series consists of high-quality, arts-based educational performances by local, regional, and
<br /> national artists. School Shows take place on weekday mornings at The ArtsCenter and enhance classroom study
<br /> by aligning with curriculum in the Common Core and NC New Essential Standards. Most School Show
<br /> attendees come from K-8th grade,though every season contains at least one show that reaches high-school
<br /> audiences. In addition to shows on-site, The ArtsCenter also coordinates performances in area schools by some
<br /> of the season's artists. These in-school shows are made possible through a longstanding partnership with local
<br /> schools' PTA Cultural Enrichment volunteers.
<br /> In the 2013-2014 season, the School Show Series will present 21 shows at The ArtsCenter by I I different
<br /> artists/groups. In addition, 10 performers will also conduct shows in area schools to provide approximately 70
<br /> in-school performances, and one group will lead two workshops with after-school programs. The season will
<br /> feature a variety of art forms including storytelling, music, drama, hip-hop and breakdancing, and acrobatics.
<br /> Through performances, students will have the opportunity to learn about science through an interactive
<br /> theatrical variety show, about American history and key moments in the Civil Rights movement through two
<br /> plays, about the traditions of acrobatics in Chinese culture, some stories and songs from Latin America, Native
<br /> American stories and legends, as well as the history of blues music, hip-hop and street dance, and will be able to
<br /> enhance their experience of reading through two plays based on books (see enclosed schedule).
<br /> Through the School Show Series, we expect to reach a broad spectrum of youth from our community, similar in
<br /> scope to The ArtsCenter's usual audience (52%White, 25%African-American, 14% Latino, 7%Asian-American,
<br /> and 2% Native American). While the series may reach students in up to five nearby counties (Orange, Chatham,
<br /> Durham, Wake, and Alamance), the impact on Orange County is most significant. For example, last season
<br /> (2012-2013), 75%of the elementary and middle schools in Orange County (both Orange Co Schools (OCS) and
<br /> Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS)) were impacted by the School Show Series. Students from four(out
<br /> of seven) elementary schools in the OCS district participated in School Show programs (three attended shows
<br /> at The ArtsCenter and one hosted a show at their school).All 10 elementary schools in the CHCCS district
<br /> either had students attend a show at The ArtsCenter or hosted shows at their school, and one middle school
<br /> from OCS and three middle schools in CHCCS had students participate in this program.The impact of the
<br /> School Show Series on our county is felt in nearly all of the schools each year, spanning both districts.
<br /> Making these programs accessible to area students is another objective of the School Show Series. School Shows
<br /> are offered at an affordable cost ($7/ticket); scholarships are provided to students with special needs or on
<br /> free/reduced lunch, and complimentary tickets are awarded to teachers. Last season (2012-2013),for example,
<br /> 449 scholarship tickets were awarded, and 368 of them (approx. 82%) went to students in Orange County. All
<br /> in-school performances are free to students and are made possible through collaboration between The
<br /> ArtsCenter and the CHCCS' Cultural Enrichment Committee, which is made up of PTA volunteers from
<br /> CHCCS area schools, in addition to a few representatives from OCS and area private schools.Through this
<br /> partnership, The ArtsCenter serves as a liaison between the performers and the schools, handling all of the
<br /> negotiation, scheduling,and coordination.This collaboration enables schools to bring in artists at a reduced rate,
<br /> thereby making it possible for them to feature artists at their school they would otherwise not be able to afford,
<br /> as well as saving them time in the booking process.
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