Success Story
The Artists-in-Education (AIE) Consortium is a public-private partnership that brings together the NJ State Council on the Arts and 2 not-for-profit organizations, Arts Horizons and Young Audiences NJ. AIE offers artist-in-residency programs that provide students an intensive hands-on arts experience.
Last year the Landis Intermediate After School Program in Vineland partnered with AIE teaching artist and musician Josh Robinson to bring world percussion to the students. The site also worked with AIE teaching artist and poet Lamont Dixon to write slam poetry pieces to accompany the rhythms they created. Students learned about world music, created instruments from found or recycled objects and explored their culture as well as the cultures of others.
Program Coordinator Esther Rodriguez reported, "This program not only taught about music and math but also acceptance of others, tolerance and how to welcome diversity through music. The students are motivated to pursue their music throughout their school years. It has made a positive impact in their life."
This year, the site is working with AIE artist Marilyn Keating to create mixed media collages using wood, metal, paper and found objects. Students are developing their creative thinking and problem solving skills by working with unique and unlikely art materials.
The Landis Intermediate After School Program uses existing funds from its 21st Century funding. This residency is a unique partnership between a publicly funded afterschool program, private not-for-profit arts agencies, a state arts agency and a national grant program through the Department of Education.
