2018-404-E Arts - NC Arts in Action arts grant

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DocuSign Envelope ID: A5390FC7 -F958- 430E- B005- 9B477AAEB1B1 Organization North Carolina Arts in Action (NC AIA) uses dance, music and Description performance to instill self- esteem, perseverance, and excellence in children. NC AIA is an internationally acclaimed in- school, curriculum based, performing arts program for elementary students. As an affiliate of the National Dance Institute (NDI) in New York, the program is directed at developing life skills such as self- esteem, teamwork, and focus among students, particularly those who are underserved. We provide dance teaching from trained instructors, live music, and allow students rigorous exercise. NC AIA benefits 12 schools across Durham, Orange, Chatham and Wake counties and directly serves more than 1,200 children this year. NC AIA works with every child in the fourth grade at each school. A Lead Teacher /Choreographer, Musician, and Assistant Teacher lead every class. NC AIA reaches diverse low- income communities, and its partner schools are Title I. Since 2005, NC AIA has reached over 6,600 North Carolina students through direct instruction. More than just another dance education program, NC AIA motivates children to believe in themselves, provides an environment with professional expectations, yet the nurturing and encouragement to develop a personal standard of excellence. Teachers report that students who struggle in a traditional classroom gain confidence and increase their ability to focus. Implementing NC AIA in Title I schools is in direct response to a community need. School administrators believe that the NC AIA program enhances student learning. Rashkis Elementary's program assists Rashkis' underserved population. Rashkis has 468 children with these demographics: 32% are Asian; 11 % are Hispanic; 13% are Black; 42% are White; 0.52% are American Indian; and 3% are two or more races, and 31 % participate in the Free And Reduced Lunch program. Our staff of 4 full time and 11 contract employees includes 1 Hispanic, 5 Black and 9 white employees. Our board of 14 includes 2 Hispanic, 2 Black, and 10 white members, and one member of the LGBT community. NC AIA uses dance and music to define a standard of excellence through active movement, intellectual stimulation and artistic expression to build essential life skills children can carry into school and throughout life. One teacher reported, "Students who struggled academically were able to "shine" in NC AIA. This self- esteem that had been lacking started to spread into their academics, and they no longer gave up easily or considered themselves unable to do assignments." NC AIA's in- school program provides four months of weekly dance instruction to fourth grade students culminating in a full -scale performance for the entire school and community. The program's distinctive features are using dance as a medium to teach life skills; professional teaching artists trained in the NDI pedagogy teach the children; and an accompanist plays live music in every session! Arts in Action's expertise is teaching children how to find excellence in themselves and enhancing their learning experience in the classroom. The residency is an inclusive program — every child participates, regardless of social background, abilities or talent.