2013-519 Arts - Northside Elementary School PTA Fall 2013 Art Grant Agreement $1,000

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Arts in Education Program Application Narrative School Profile In August 2013, Northside Elementary School (NES) opened as a state-of-the-art facility in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) district in Orange County. This school was intentionally built in the historic Northside neighborhood in downtown Chapel Hill,which is in the middle of the school district. Northside Elementary is a place where every student can think, learn and grow with purpose, persistence and pride. School's Arts Programs Northside Elementary School currently has a full time art teacher, a full time music teacher, and a full time physical education teacher,just as all other public elementary schools in Orange County do.The goal of North Carolina Arts in Action (NC AIA) is to help children reach their full potential using performing arts as the catalyst to build focus, discipline, self-esteem,teamwork and leadership. AIA fosters an appreciation of dance and the arts, increased physical activity, increased self-confidence and a commitment to the excellence within themselves. While existing CHCCS curricula incorporate minimal aspects of these, none have the intensity that Arts in Action has. And, none have a final performance where the students are invested and energized to show off all they have learned in the prior six months.The primary role of male AIA artistic directors, musicians, and teaching assistants is particularly engaging for our male students--the proportion of male students at NES (55%) is slightly higher than the district average of male students (53%)1. In the couple weeks the program has existed at NES,teachers are already saying their students can focus better in classroom learning following AIA classes. The teaching methodology and curriculum of AIA are unique in their approach to engaging children in the love of dance. The high energy, rigorous demands and dynamic exercise develop a child's self-discipline, set a standard of excellence and facilitate the development of self- confidence through active movement, intellectual stimulation, and artistic expression. Many students who struggle in a traditional classroom setting gain confidence and increased ability to focus in the atmosphere of high expectations and mutual support created by AIA's highly trained instructors. Arts in Action residencies involve the entire school community, supported by classroom and specialist teachers through collaboration, curriculum tie-ins and enhancement of AIA activities with additional music and art projects that enhance the year-end performances. A school liaison works with the school administration to coordinate AIA activities internally. Involvement of school administration is critical for sustainability of the program. Community businesses and parents are actively recruited to offer logistical and financial support for the program. Proposed Uses of Grant Funds Description: The grant funds will be used to provide support for the Arts in Action program at Northside Elementary School in the cafeteria and gym during the school day. AIA will occur during the 2013-2014 school year. Each fourth grade class (around 30 students in each) has a designated time each week for their AIA class. Each student will receive approximately 18 AIA classes over the course of the school year.The final performance is scheduled for March 20, 2014. Most sessions 1 Email conversation with C. Mau at Lincoln Center(CHCCS)on 11/12/13. NES Arts in Education Fall 2013 OCAC Grant 1