2014-597-E Arts - The ArtsCenter for 2014 Arts Grant Agreement $1,500

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DocuSign Envelope ID: 5417A128-2554-4810-B9C6-1000F99D92F1 Afterschool Arts Immersion- Program Narrative for Scholarships- OCAC Fall 2014 For almost 11 years, the AfterSchool Arts Immersion (AAI) program at The ArtsCenter has provided a safe, inspiring, and validating creative environment for students needing after-school care. The ArtsCenter currently works with local transportation agencies to provide transportation from eight area elementary schools: Frank Porter Graham, Estes Hills, Ephesus Road, Glenwood, Seawell, Northside, Carrboro, and McDougle. All AN participants attend Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. The program accommodates 35- 40 students per day. On each day of operation for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, participants are transported from their elementary schools to The ArtsCenter, and are served a healthy snack upon arrival around 3 PM. With the guidance of three trained AN staff counselors, students then discuss the plan for the day during a short circle time before dividing into their respective age groups. Students in grades K-2 attend art class for one hour, and then have homework / quiet time for one hour. Students in grades 3-5 do their homework for one hour first, and then move to art class for one hour. Homework help is provided when necessary. All participants join together for supervised free play time for the last half hour before pick-up at 6 PM. Free play time often includes self-directed arts activities, board games, or outdoor recreation time. Supervision for the AN program is done by three counselors, and overseen by two full-time Youth Education Assistants (Ashley Clay and Britany Burch) and the Youth Education Coordinator (Jesse Hollars). As an arts-based AfterSchool program, the staff's primary focus is on arts education. By inviting local teaching artists from Orange County and the surrounding area to share their skills, the program is able to offer classes in many different art forms throughout the school year. Artists are hired to teach two-week residencies, in which they choose a particular focus or project to teach. One of the most successful recent residencies was Beat Making with Ryan Levin, a local DJ who previously worked with UNC's Beat Making Lab. Students learned the basics of using a computer to create beats and electronic music, while improving their understanding of rhythm and musicality. Another recent residency focused on Darkroom and Digital Photography with Chapel Hill-based photographer Adam Dodds. Students were introduced to the process of developing film, and practiced taking photos of their own. Students have also worked on basic sewing techniques through the process of making their own stuffed animals with visual artist Erin Oliver and built cars, boats, and creatures out of found objects with re-use artist Tom Xarlacos. By spending two weeks with each artist, both full-time and part-time AN participants are able to build a relationship with their instructor and grow confident in their new skills, building on the educational skills and tools provided by the public school system.