ARTS In-School Programs
Since 1992, Perkins Center has been a provider of In-School Arts Residencies. The A.R.T.S (Artists Reaching the Students) program places professional artists in local schools for multi-day, arts-based experiences. Individually designed artist-led residencies help students build visual skills, coordination, develop deliberate habits of mind, teach problem-solving strategies, and encourage communication among students. Contact Perkins Director of Education, Allison Hunt, for more information about bringing a Teaching Artist program to your school.
Since 1992, Perkins Center has been a provider of In-School Arts Residencies. The A.R.T.S (Artists Reaching the Students) program places professional artists in local schools for multi-day, arts-based experiences. Individually designed artist-led residencies help students build visual skills, coordination, develop deliberate habits of mind, teach problem-solving strategies, and encourage communication among students. Contact Perkins Director of Education, Allison Hunt, for more information about bringing a Teaching Artist program to your school.
What’s an Arts Residency?
The ARTS (Arts Reaching the Students) in-school residency program places professional artists in local schools for residencies ranging in length from 2 to 25 days. Individually designed projects help schools support social, emotional, and academic growth through hands-on artmaking. While programs are geared to serve core groups of 10-60 students, Perkins works with each school to coordinate additional opportunities for other students, staff, families, volunteers, or community members to participate.
What kinds of Arts Residencies does Perkins Offer?
Themes incorporated into residencies have included cultural diversity, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and individual school themes related to character values and year-long study areas like ELA, Mathematics, Social Studies, History, and Science, incorporating core curriculum standards. Past Perkins Center ARTS programs have introduced students to a variety of media, including:
Dance & Movement
Digital Media
Drumming
Fiber Arts
Film & Photography
Folk Artistry
Mosaics
Music Composition
Mural Arts
Painting
Papermaking
Sculpture
Storytelling
Theater & Performance
Stop-motion Animation
What is a Teaching Artist?
Teaching Artists are professional artists who work closely with the school’s art and classroom teachers to incorporate the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards, 21st Century Skills, and National Arts Standards into the learning process. Additionally, through hands-on artmaking, Teaching Artists can help schools achieve objectives in Arts Integration, STEAM, Social-Emotional Learning, Community Building, and Character Value practices.
Who can apply for or request an ARTS Residency and How?
Perkins ARTS Residency Programs are customized for K-12 learners and teachers in New Jersey based public, private, and charter schools throughout central and southern New Jersey. School Administrators, Educators, Guidance Counselors, and Parent Groups are encouraged to inquire about program opportunities by filling out an online application (forms.gle/KAFx87jUC1htusFY8). Perkins will contact the school representative to discuss potential projects, length of residency, program specifics, and funding resources.
What Schools has Perkins worked with in the past?
Perkins has committed to ensuring that Arts Education is available to all New Jersey students. Working with under-resourced school districts is a priority. Perkins encourages administrators, parents, and community members to contact us to support New Jersey Student Learning Standards in your district.
Check out schools that have hosted a Perkins ARTS program using the interactive map:
What does the planning process look like?
Once Perkins has obtained information from the school about the objective and theme, A planning meeting for school administrators, the coordinating classroom teacher, the Teaching Artist, and Perkins program manager will be scheduled to discuss project logistics and goals. As a group, we will determine the schedule, visit the room or space to be used, discuss material/supply needs, classroom support, and any other details that pertain to installation, performance, and/or a culminating event.
Does Perkins Offer Professional Development for Educators?
In addition to ARTS Programs for students, Perkins facilitates artist-led Professional Development/In-Service programs for educators. The in-service program is customized and designed with the Curriculum Supervisor and can be adapted across grade levels.
