Cultural Connections Through the Arts is a classroom-based, arts-integrated residency program led by professional artists and master teacher trainers designed to support classroom curriculum. Hands-on experiences allow students to creatively explore their world, collaboratively ideate, and imagine solutions to current and future problems. The results are enduring understandings and increased student engagement that supports student achievement.

To learn more about customized residency experiences, see sample lesson plans, or learn about fee structures, please email [email protected]

Composer in the Classroom

Exploring the intersection of literacy and music, this residency empowers students to tell stories through sound. Working with musicians, students will demonstrate understanding of core curriculum concepts through the composition of a unique piece of music.

Curriculum Connections: English language arts, history, social sciences, world and native languages, and social and emotional learning competencies

Grades: 4–6
Length: five 50-minute sessions
Up to 35 students per classroom 
Fee: $750

Picturing Story

Pictures come to life as students learn to read illustrations by deciphering narrative conveyed through composition, images, and colors. By the conclusion of this five-day residency, each student will create a storyboard to inspire recall and retell of a classroom text. 

Curriculum connections: English language arts, science, history, social sciences, world and native languages, and social and emotional learning competencies

Grades: 4–10
Length: five 50-minute sessions
Up to 35 students per classroom
Fee: $750

Poetry: Personal to Performance

Professional poetry and spoken word artists engage students in journal and poetry writing while building a strong classroom community. Through an approachable process of idea mapping, writing exercises, and group critiques, journal entries develop into poems. Final works are shared with classmates at the end of each session.

Curriculum connections: English language arts and social and emotional learning competencies

Grades: 7–12
Length: five 50-minute sessions
Up to 35 students per classroom
Fee: $750

Cultural Connections Through the Arts is supported by Betty Hum and Alan Yudell, Nationwide, Salt River PIma-Maricopa Indian Community, and Thunderbirds Charities.