We Bring The Arts To Our Children

                              Arts Education Programs

Artist the Schools Residency Program(AIS):
The AIS Residency Program allows professional artists to teach over 5,000 elementary school students in their classrooms in Jackson and Josephine counties each year. The Arts Council currently lists twelve dance, theater,music and visual artists on our roster. These artists are carefully screened by juried of their peers, Arts Council staff and board members for their experience and competency. The artists are practicing professionals who demonstrate hands-on techniques and communicate well with students teachers and staff. Many have had formal arts training as arts educators, and most have many years of experience as AIS artists, both in and out of our region.

"The artist provided an incredibly rich, fun, multi-sensory, engaging thorough program to my class.
He made materials, information and instruments easily available to both teachers and students.
This was a culturally and artistically valuable program that I wish all schools could experience."
Teacher at a Jackson County School

School Information: I want an artist to come to my school!

Artist in the Schools:
Information & How to Apply
Artist Roster
Residency Application

Teaching Artist Information: I want to become a teaching artist!

Hiring Cycle and How to Apply

AIS Artist Application to program

The Lithia Springs Music Program

"Out of all the therapy these kids do, I've never seen
a program be more sucessful than the Arts Council's
music program. They do yoga, they do visual arts and
all the verbal therapy they can handle. But this music
program really fits. The kids just gravitate toward it,
the music, the style and the teacher. The creative,
social and therapeutic effects are amazing."
Stephanie Atkinson
Director Lithia Springs Program


The Lithia Springs Music Program began in 2005 as a partnership between the Arts Council and Lithia Springs School. The school is a live-in program for "youth in placement" aged between 13-18. The youth have been referred from the Juvenile Department or Child Welfare for various reasons, such as parental abuse, drugs, violence and runaways. With the incredible support of the Lithia Springs School director, Stephanie Atkinson, the Arts Council Staff developed a music program as a creative outlet for the students. As the years have gone on, the program has morphed into a powerful theraputic process. The success of the program is largely due to teaching artist, Lauren Rubin. Mrs. Rubin holds a PHd in Ethnomusicology and a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology.  Her music program is unique in the way it allows very troubled young poeple to work together a group; writing lyrics, composing music, playing instruments and digital editing to create a piece of recorded music. This program encourages cooperation, equality, self-esteem and positive therapeutic expression.

 "The students are very positive, excited, challenged and motivated.
They can't wait to come in each week, and we have developed a tremendously inspiring attitude in the classes.
I am extremely happy with the results of this class."   
                Lauren Rubin, Teaching Artist                                               

We are proud to have the Lithia Springs Music Project as our current featured program. Keep up the good work kids!
Stay tuned for our upcoming YouTube video!   

Artists After School(AAS)

The Artist After School Program places professional performing artists into existing after school programs at elementary schools. Please contact the Arts Council if you would like to enhance your after school program with the arts.