The Artists-In-Schools Program does more than place artists in the classroom to do art activities. It is a broad program that touches all cultural aspects of the school curriculum. The artists represented in the schools in the past years have brought experiences to students in the areas of art, music, storytelling, dance, puppet making, creative writing, theater and crafts. For several years, the Arts Council has successfully enriched the student’s art experiences in schools where there are no cultural arts teachers.
In the 2014-15 academic year, 5,472 students were served in the Artist Residency Program alone.
In every case, qualified teachers who are placed in school situations have unique talents to share with students on a singular or weekly schedule. They are placed under contract with the Arts Council and must document their hours and projects. The participating artists report to the Education Director, Bethany Adams, who oversees the selection of the schools and the artists and plans for a good fit.
Major support for Artists-In-Schools comes from Henderson County government.