Arts in Education
students reached
by AcA Teaching Artists annually
public schools
receive AcA’s Arts in Education services annually
YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP
with Lafayette Parish School System
teaching artists
employed annually
AcA’s Arts In Education Team
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Bree Sargent, Education Director, Bree@AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org
Catherine Bricelj, Education Manager, Catherine@AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org
Erin Gray, Education Coordinator, Erin@AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org
Jessica Duncan, Education Coordinator, Jessica@AcadianaCenterfortheArts.org
Arts Experiences for All
Every student Pre-K through 5th grade in Lafayette Parish public schools will receive in-school and field trip experiences in all art forms.
After ten (10) years with Arts Experiences for All, every student in Lafayette Parish public schools entering high school will have had: 80 visual art or movement lessons through PACE and 11 cultural field trips and in-school experiences in Theatre, Music, Dance, Visual Art, and Creative Writing.
PACE
PACE (Primary Academic and Creative Experiences) assists schools in teaching the arts and teaching other academic areas through the arts. Each year, AcA’s team of Teaching Artists provide lessons in 546 preK–3rd grade classrooms on a weekly basis.
Teaching Artists conduct arts integrated classes that advance state standard curriculum in Science and Social Studies through engaging activities rooted in visual art and dance. PACE is based on the idea that children learn in a variety of ways.
Teaching Artist Program
The Teaching Artist Program provides the opportunity for students to experience a broad range of art forms and innovative arts activities right in their classroom! Music, dance, creative writing, visual arts, storytelling and folk arts are examples of some of the art forms students can experience in this program.
Lafayette Parish, St. Landry Parish, and Vermilion Parish public schools have the opportunity to invite an AcA Teaching Artist to their classroom and experience the arts as powerful teaching, learning and motivation tools! Sessions are designed and led by a local Teaching Artist.
Community Testimonials
Rodney Savoy
"From my experience, the arts in the classroom brings out abilities in kids that no one has asked them to show; it allows them to discover other skill sets. When there's arts programming, kids show up for class and they're in a better mood; teachers stay longer! It definitely expands their education and allows kids to find something they can excel in!"
Mark Rabalais, Assistant Superintendent, Lafayette Parish School System
"As a principal, I was always looking for arts opportunities. At Ridge Elementary it was a natural fit. For much of that population, visists to a museum were not a normal activity. Also about 30% of the students there were English-as-a-second-language (ESL) students and they can feel disenfranchised. Art is a universal language; this is how you can connect with sub-groups; this is how you can get students engaged!"
Tommy Byler, Superintendent, Vermilion Parish School System
"We've previously worked with AcA on a smaller scale...this is the first year we've gone all out, and we've already seen such a promise! One day we hope to have district-wide programs. Our parish is very pro-art and we have such a talent here! We're learning how to make a commitment to the arts because it impacts society in a positive way."
Meet the Sponsors
that make our programs possible
Genesis Inspiration Foundation
Martial F. Billeaud Foundation
Opelousas Downtown Development District
Quest Pediatric Dentistry
Thistlewood Foundation
Meet the Visionaries
who are moving this work forward
Susan & Stanley Blackstone
Colleen & John Chappuis
Dr. Jay Culotta
First Horizon Bank
Iberia Parish Affiliate of Community Foundation of Acadiana
Kiwanis of Lafayette
Daphne & EJ Krampe
Love Our Schools
Cindi & Rodney Savoy
Schumacher Clinical Partners
Scott Family Louisiana Fund
David Strother and Susan Daigle
Stuller Family Foundation
Vermilion Parish Affiliate of Community Foundation of Acadiana
William C. Schumacher Family Foundation