2014-319 Arts - Estes Hills Elementary School PTA for Spring 2014 Arts Grant Agreement $1,000

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PROPOSED USES OF GRANT FUNDS Over the past few years, income to our PTA and thus the Cultural Enrichment budget has decreased. This has been due in part to the nationwide economic downturn and in part to the closing of the Carrboro branch of the PTA Thrift Shop during construction of an entirely new building. While that building is now complete, operations are just beginning and fundraising to pay for the building remains ongoing. Thus, the Thrift Shop is still unable to provide district PTAs with the sustaining funds that they have provided in the past. As a result, grant funds are greatly needed and appreciated in order to provide our students with cultural opportunities that they otherwise might not experience. The Estes Hills PTA Cultural Enrichment Committee plans to use the grant to help fund four shows during the 2014-2015 school year. Performances will take place in the gymnasium during the regular school day, to best utilize the students' time and the committee's budget. For space considerations and developmental reasons, we divide the audience into two age groups consisting of the younger students (kindergarten through 2nd grade) and the older students (3rd grade through 5th grade). The 2014-2015 performances will be: Orchid Ensemble — On October 1St, 2014, The Orchid Ensemble will present one show, for grades 3rd-5th Featuring instruments, music, and stories from China, the Orchid Ensemble serves to promote a greater understanding of Asian culture. The Orchid Ensemble encourages student participation during their performance, drawing their audience into an exploration of Asian culture. Furthermore, using a combination of instruments and traditions from Asia as well as from the west, the ensemble also promotes cross-cultural collaboration. North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble — On November 18th, 2014, the North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble (NCYTE) will be performing twice, once for students in grades K- 2nd and once for students in grades 3rd-5th. The NCYTE offers non-stop percussive dance using a unique mix of vocals, pencil drumming, beat boxing, body percussion, and Taiko drumming, while incorporating stories, history, and facts about the various musical forms that they present into their performances. The troupe is made up of professional level dancers ages 8 through 18 years old. Bright Star Children's Theatre — On February 9th, 2015, Bright Star Children's Theatre will present "Aesop's Fables" in one performance for our younger students, in grades K- 2nd Entering their twelfth season, Bright Star is a North Carolina group based in Asheville. Their shows often use only two actors, each of whom can perform multiple roles in a play as needed. Bright Star's interpretation of Aesop's Fables is a fast-paced, high-energy production that includes favorites such as "The Fox and the Grapes," "The Tortoise and the Hare," "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," and "The Lion and the Mouse." Hobey Ford's Golden Rod Puppets — On March 11th, 2015, Hobey Ford's Golden Rod Puppets will perform two shows, one for students in grades K-2nd and one for students in grades 3�d-5th. Mr. Ford will be performing "Animalia," a show that explores the diversity of the animal kingdom. Mr. Ford's "Foamies," puppets carved from large blocks of foam that use intricate mechanical designs and details which give each puppet realistic movements, allow him to break out of the traditional puppet theater booth and turn the entire theater into a performance stage. Mr. Ford is skilled at creating a seamless, magical and hypnotic dance between the audience, the puppeteer, the life-like puppets, and his original artistic scenery. Estes Hills Elementary School, Page 3 of 3