RALEIGH: “This learning experience captures North Carolina’s creativity and diversity for teachers and students,” Governor Roy Cooper. “Direct connection with artists, writers and other experts in the arts through two days of workshops, discussion and performances is a great way to inspire the next generation of cultural leaders.” 

To attend the Cultural Arts LIVE Conference, register at ncstudentconnect.com up until December 16th. Recordings of all sessions will be available online after the conference for future use.

Sessions for educators and their classrooms include: 

• Live painting of a mural by Artist Rosalia Torres-Weiner, inspired by students’ suggestions

• Writing workshops led by Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green

• Virtual field trips to nine NC Historic Sites with live discussion

• A virtual choral performance of “I Will be Brave”, a new composition from NC composer Sally Albrecht, performed by students from across the state

• A dance choregraphed and performed by Black Box Dance Theatre based on ideas from students

• Print and broadcast journalism workshops

• Behind the scenes at the Nutcracker with Carolina Ballet

• Workshops and performances with the NC Symphony

• Stop action animation workshop led by Pierce Freelon

• Movement and story program by the Charlotte Ballet

• Performance and seminars by NC bluegrass musicians

• History of African American music from spirituals to hip hop by the group, The Beast

• Drama, voice articulation and history through radio plays

• Interactive seminar on West African dance and drums

All sessions will be recorded and teachers will be able to use the sessions live in class during the conference and/or replay them next semester. Some sessions will ask students and teachers to submit information and ideas in advance.

Professional development sessions for educators will include copyright issues during virtual learning, arts integration for all grade levels, remote resources for music educators, workshop on the new personal finance class and more.

The conference is hosted by the North Carolina Business Committee on Education (NCBCE), a business-led, education nonprofit housed in the Governor’s Office. This conference is in partnership with the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the Department of Public Instruction. It is the final in a series of four remote learning conferences through Governor Cooper’s NC Student Connect initiative.

Educators can also access recordings of all previous NC Student Connect conferences: the REAL Conference, REAL 2.0 Conference and STEM Connect Conference are available to all NC educators through the NC Student Connect site, https://www.ncstudentconnect.com/