Residencies

For over 25 years, Brooklyn Arts Council has been a leading source for arts education in schools, senior centers, and community venues across Brooklyn.

BAC teaching artists provide hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students, teachers, parents, seniors, and community members in a variety of arts disciplines - including dance, digital media, theater, music, visual arts, and literary arts. Through our artist residencies, workshops, and performances, BAC provides and promotes quality arts education programs that:

 - Foster creativity and imagination
 - Expand verbal and non-verbal communication skills
 - Enhance capacities for critical thinking and problem-solving skills
 - Fortify social-emotional skills


Our Arts in Education staff will collaborate with you to develop a customized program that addresses your artistic, academic, and social learning goals, while keeping in mind your available resources. All residencies and workshops support NYC Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts, providing students with the opportunity to develop 21st century skills such as listening, maintaining focused attention, analyzing what they observe, watching for non-verbal cues, and asking relevant questions. 

Click here to view our Residencies & Workshops Overview.


For more information, contact Arts in Education Director Philip A. Alexander at palexander@broklynartscouncil.org or 718-625-0080 x234.

 

Dance

Dance refines coordination, focus, poise, and creativity. Through dance, students improve their physical fitness, learn how to dedicate themselves to a project or a process, and gain discipline and self-esteem.

Sample residencies:

  • Dance Foundations
  • Creative Movement
  • Indian Dance
  • Mexican Dance
  • African Dance
  • Flamenco

"Dancing is fun. It makes us confident and enthusiastic." -Student, Indian Dance Residency

"My son would show me the dance steps he remembered. I'm sure he'd like to do this again, because he had a lot of fun." -Parent, Mexican Dance Residency student


Music

Music instruction builds intellectual and emotional capabilities. Music practice not only hones listening and mathematical skills, but provides essential insights into our world's diverse cultures. Ensemble music classes help students learn how to collaborate and how to support their peers in group work. 

Sample residencies:

  • African Drumming
  • Chorus
  • Songwriting
  • Violin
  • Musical Theater
  • Rock Band
  • Contemporary & Traditional Percussion 

"I learned teamwork and two instruments. The teaching artist helped us keep on the beat." -Student, Rock Band

"I was really inspired... each music had a mood and feeling to it. I hope I go to music next year." -Student, Songwriting

Digital Media

Digital media residencies integrate art and technology, enhancing students' 21st century skills. Participants develop their ability to depict ideas, communicate their thoughts, collaborate on projects in a variety of mediums, and acquire necessary technical skills for creating and communicating using technology.

Sample residencies:

  • Stop-Motion Animation
  • Digital Photography
  • Digital Filmmaking
  • PSA Video Making
  • Documentary Video Making 

"I learned that we don't all see things the same way. I have the power to look at something and make it beautiful." -Student, Digital photography

Visual Arts

With so many mediums to explore, the visual arts present almost limitless opportunities for students to develop their critical thinking, spatial reasoning, fine motor skills, and creativity. 

Sample residencies:

  • Painting and Drawing
  • Printmaking
  • Mixed Media
  • Mural Painting
  • Mosaics
  • Textile Arts
  • Sculpture
  • Ceramics 

"When I started finger knitting, it was frustrating, but I kept trying and now I could do it with my eyes closed." -Student, Textile arts

"I'm surprised to see this work. Before this, my son wasn't involved in art, and now he keeps painting!" -Parent, Mural Painting Residency Student 

Literary Arts

Creative writing workshops and residencies offer a multitude of possibilities and are particularly effective at stimulating enthusiasm for English Language Arts (ELA) and engaging English Language Learners (ELLs). Whether written or spoken/performed, creative writing will expand students' critical thinking, language, and communications skills.

Sample residencies:

  • Poetry and Spoken Word
  • Fiction Writing
  • Collaborative Stories
  • Playwriting

Sample cross-discipline residencies: 

  • Story Writing and Illustration
  • Poetry and Dance
  • Graphic Novels and Comics
  • Book Arts

Theater

Theatrical expression improves students' self-control, presentation and language skills, and builds understanding of collaborative ensemble work and spatial awareness. Theater residencies allow students to explore self-expression in a safe environment.

Sample residencies:

  • Devised Theater
  • Theater Performance
  • Storytelling
  • Puppetry
  • Playwriting
  • Physical Theater/Clowning
  • Directing Theater 

"We learned how to be ourselves. Acting is your choice. You have to work for it!" -Student, Theater residency

"The skills they learned and practiced can be used in the classroom and at home. They learned to listen to each other and compromise." -Teacher, Physical Theater/Clowning

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