From Apex to Zebulon and everywhere in between, The United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County (United Arts) partners with businesses, individuals, foundations, and government to reach over 1.2 million people across Wake County annually through its grants, programs, and events. United Arts, a nonprofit organization, has worked for more than 30 years to build a better community through the support of and advocacy for the arts.
Their flagship program, Artists in Schools, places professional teaching artists in K-12 schools for curriculum-based performances, workshops, and residencies. These programs help students learn to problem-solve, work together, and seek creative means toward common goals. Thanks to the Artists in Schools program, more than 130,000 Wake County school children experience arts programming in a school setting each year.
The United Arts Council awards noncompetitive grants to Wake County schools to help provide the Artists in Schools programs for staff and students. The funds support performances, writer residencies, and workshops that are geared toward the school curriculum. This year, Douglas has been awarded $1,800 in grant funds, with our PTA funding the balance of the costs to bring in several artists right to our wonderful school! This is just another reason why your PTA membership (only $12!) and donations (tax deductible!) are critical to bringing a broad range of talented artists in the disciplines of visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and interdisciplinary arts to our deserving students.
Our first artist arrived on campus on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Didgeridoo Down Under. The Didgeridoo Down Under (DDU) Show is an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, comedy, character building, anti-bullying, storytelling and audience participation. The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1,500 years, and is known for its otherworldly sound. During the show, DDU performer Rob Thomas played a variety of exotic didgeridoos and worldly percussion instruments, demonstrating various playing styles and upbeat rhythms. Rob also uses a multitude of props — puppets, artifacts, artwork, motivational signs and more — to deliver educational lessons and empowering messages. The program was very participatory, and several segments involved students playing instruments, dancing or acting out a story. DDU motivated our students to appreciate world music and art, respect multiculturalism and diversity, get excited about learning and reading, think creatively and imaginatively, act with kindness and acceptance, stand up against bullying, protect the environment, and become better global citizens. The DDU Show was interactive, educational, motivational and super fun for all ages!
Stay tuned for more United Arts Council programming throughout the year! There will be an additional performance, a writer residency for the third-grade classes, and a fifth-grade art project — all scheduled after January.
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