Pilot Year of the Chatham Artists-in-Schools Initiative

Chatham County Commissioners’ Meeting

21 September 2015  |  6:00PM

Historic Courthouse, Pittsboro

Public Input Remarks

My name is Cheryl Chamblee, and I'm the Executive Director of the Chatham Arts Council.  In June, you made an investment in educational impact through the arts.  

Chatham County dollars will be helping fund our Pilot Year of the Chatham Artists-in-Schools Initiative.  In this pilot year, we plan to work with North Chatham Elementary in Pittsboro and Virginia Cross Elementary in Siler City to bring theatre artists into fourth and fifth grade classrooms to create new pathways to learning history, writing, and language.

I’m here tonight to say thank you--and to let you know how it’s going so far.  A quick quarterly report on your investment.

First, some awesome news:  You have already doubled your investment.  We got word two weeks ago that the North Carolina Arts Council is granting us $29,489.  To get those State dollars, a match is required.  Thanks to you, we have the match.  Funding competition was intense this year with 40% more applicants than in previous years, but the panel was impressed with our organization, our partnerships, and what we could bring to the table.

And that’s not even what’s had me walking on air for the past two weeks.  I wish you all could have been with us recently at Virginia Cross Elementary to hear the first planning session between Principal Allison Buckner and nationally known theatre artists David zum Brunnen and Serena Ebhardt.  We’re talking about a student population that is 70% Hispanic, 90% on free or reduced lunch, and struggling to perform at grade level.  This residency can be a new way in to history and language learning for these kids.  Principal Buckner is so very excited for these kids to get this opportunity--one that is otherwise out of reach for most of them.

This Friday, I get to be part of a similar kick-off meeting at North Chatham Elementary, and I expect to leave just as uplifted.

We’re excited that we’re working with schools in both the east and west of the County, that we’re funding these residencies without placing an additional burden on classroom teachers to come up with dollars, that we’re getting huge enthusiasm from all our partners--Chatham County Schools, Chatham Park, individuals, and small businesses.

I can’t wait to see this unfold and grow.  Thank you for being a part of this team to help fill a gap for Chatham County students.

Cheryl Chamblee

Executive Director

Chatham Arts Council

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