Header image: A teacher speaking with a student at a desk. Photo by Tibor Nemeth, courtesy of NC Arts Council.
The North Carolina Arts Council’s arts learning team is excited to introduce a central hub to connect educators with arts learning opportunities, resources, and services available across the state. Decades of research show that increased exposure to the arts helps students deepen curricular connections and develop critical thinking skills. The arts also strengthen collaborative relationships and help build community. For these reasons, the Arts Council upholds arts learning as one of the ways we achieve our mission: arts for all people.
Using the hub, schools can access such established programs as A+ Schools of North Carolina and Poetry Out Loud alongside new offerings, such as the NCAC roster of teaching artists. All the offerings are designed to support educators, strengthen arts experiences for students, and expand access to creative learning opportunities in North Carolina schools.
Explore the offerings and resources available through the new arts learning hub:
Bring a teaching artist to your school
The NCAC has made it easier for schools to access professional teaching artists, shifting from a grant-based model to a streamlined request process. The new teaching artist program connects schools with accomplished artist-educators who provide meaningful, arts experiences that inspire creativity, connection, and learning. In its inaugural year, the NCAC is pleased to offer these teaching artist engagements at no cost to participating schools. Requests for the 2026–27 school year will be accepted August 3–September 15, 2026.
Meet the NCAC teaching artists:
The professional modern dance company Black Box Dance Theatre (BBDT) brings learning to life through their signature approach to “nonfiction dance.” BBDT engages students in joyful, arts-integrated learning experiences that connect dance with science, English language arts, social studies, mathematics, and social-emotional learning. Residencies include four days of customized student workshops and culminate in dynamic performances that celebrate student learning throughout the entire school community.
Experience the power of jazz with the Grammy- and Emmy-nominated bassist, composer, and educator John Brown and his team of accomplished musicians. Through engaging, hands-on performances and workshops, students explore jazz traditions, North Carolina’s rich musical heritage, and the music’s connection to history, culture, and storytelling. Whether working with beginning musicians or advanced ensembles, Brown inspires creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong appreciation of the performing arts.
Larry & Joe are accomplished multi-instrumentalists and singer-songwriters who blend Venezuelan and Appalachian folk traditions to show how music can connect cultures. Through lively bilingual (English/Spanish) performances that incorporate storytelling, humor, singalongs, and dancing, students will engage with musical traditions from across the Americas, all the while experiencing the power of music to build understanding, community, and joy.
Playwright and actor Mike Wiley brings powerful documentary theater storytelling into the classroom. Through compelling performances and interactive learning experiences, students working with Wiley engage with stories of human rights, resilience, and social change, while developing empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the American historical narrative. Mike’s work connects theater to history, language arts, and civics lessons in order to inspire meaningful conversations and reflection.
A+ Schools of North Carolina
A signature program of the NCAC, A+ Schools works with schools to develop and sustain a campus-wide approach to creative learning. Participating A+ schools center the arts as the foundation for collaboration, innovation, and meaningful student engagement across the curriculum.
Interested in becoming an A+ School? Contact A+ Schools Network Director Tom Nevels at tom.nevels@dncr.nc.gov.
Professional learning for educators
Soon, the NCAC will offer professional learning opportunities focused on arts-based strategies, creativity, and student engagement. These programs will be available both virtually and in person and include both free and fee-based options.
Arts learning consultation
We want to hear your arts learning questions, ideas, and goals for arts learning in your school or district. Connect with the NCAC arts learning team for guidance, resource recommendations, and support when planning your next steps.
To start the conversation, contact Senior Program Director for Arts Learning Lori Cozzi, at Lori.Cozzi@dncr.nc.gov.
Virtual resources
Explore a collection of digital tools, instructional materials, and resources developed to support comprehensive arts education across North Carolina.
The new arts learning hub brings together valuable tools aiding the expansion of arts-integrated learning across districts, schools, and classrooms. We’re thrilled to offer these resources for educators in North Carolina in an accessible, thoughtfully designed format.