Arts Residencies
A Sampling of Current & Past Residencies
Animals & Habitats
Through this two-week interdisciplinary residency K-2 students will explore life sciences, creativity and connection. We will begin by exploring a habitat and the living structures and creatures in that environment. We will learn how to move our bodies like the animals, birds, insects and water dwellers we study. Students create masks and collaborate on a mural backdrop of their chosen habitat. Students are met where they are, and are encouraged to lead with their curiosity. The culminating experience will be an hour-long performance open to the whole school community.
Better Together
This residency is designed for grades 2-4. Through circus, yoga and movement arts, students explore the principles of inclusion, connection, co-authorship and empathy. Through growing the capacities of communication, creativity and collaboration they explore and invent healthy and joyful ways to be in relationship with one another.
Walk With Us
The NewBrook School borders a beautiful forest. Two teachers were passionate about getting the kids to form a deep relationship with the forest and all of its inhabitants. They set out to create art and engagement that invited the whole community to explore the forest and its trails. After deciding on 18 unique spots long the trail, each grade created a map that drew the walker’s attention to a particular layer or perspective of the forest, creating a 5 special maps. The 2nd graders also co-created a land acknowledgement that welcomes everyone at the trailhead, based on poetry they wrote in the forest. On field day, the community came, chose one of the maps and walked the forest.
Lincoln Has Heart
The townspeople of Lincoln, Vermont, stepped up to save their Community School when it might be closed by the district. The teachers and students designed a residency to thank these local hero for the countless hours they spent to form an independent school district, keeping their beloved school open. They shared what was most meaningful about their community on banners along Main Street, created an hourlong performance of movement and circus arts demonstrating their resilience and creativity as a community, and shared a feast together!
Water Way(s)
Water Way(s) is centered on both the ways that rivers move and the ways we understand and relate to rivers past and present. The curriculum is steeped in indigenous, ecological, and environmental watershed studies. Based in watershed education, we study water movement, environmental impact, living communities, history and culture. We dive into the essential teaching practices of arts-based, place-based and project-based learning. Learn more
Adaptive & Inclusive
CircusYoga residencies have been designed for schools and programs for special needs students. Developmental patterning forms the basis for all of our movements and relationships. Through joyful play, partnering and the use of props, we activate our learning, expand our creativity and discover new abilities we didn’t know we had. Learn more
A Roadmap to Belonging
7th & 8th graders took on a yearlong exploration of what factors contribute to a community’s sense of belonging. Through “Belonging Cafes” at public events, one-on-one interviews, personal investigations, books and theater, students created a performance that shared their discoveries.