Artists-in-the-Schools Program
The arts are basic to education, requiring the use of higher-order thinking skills like analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, all vitally important in our information age, and providing effective teaching tools for non-arts subjects.
Paul Babelay (on “vibes”) and Lloyd Weinberg (on sax) Jazz Duo with the Macon Middle School band and chorus. Music teachers and students really enjoyed their teaching and performances. photos: March 2009 by Linda Matthias.
Creativity is fundamental
to problem-solving
The Arts Council's Artists-in-the-Schools Program offers diverse instructive and interactive performances and artists’ residencies that stress experiential learning, provide outlets for creative expression, and allow students to discover and develop their artistic talents and skills. Programs are held during the school day, at no cost to the school or students.
Learning to create — through all types of “art” — encourages other forms of brain activity, opens us to the flow of new ideas, expands problem-solving skills, and connects us empathically to each other. We absolutely need these skills taught in schools.
Creativity is fundamental
to learning
Artist-educators wishing to work in the Artists-in-the-Schools Program should contact the Arts Council.
Our expansive definition of “art” includes many creative endeavors: dance, literature/writing, music, theater, storytelling and the visual/graphic arts… We especially seek to expand heritage and multicultural arts program offerings.
Storyteller Elizabeth Ellis, visiting our schools from Texas, can keep elementary age students quiet and enraptured with her gift for telling stories.