residency information

The AIE Division enables artists to help others explore and develop their creativity and artistic skills in a variety of educational, community and institutional settings. Teachers/agencies select and collaborate with qualified artists who spend at least 10 days (but 20 is preferred) in a school or agency conducting artist residencies. Residencies integrate the arts into a teacher’s core curriculum, or provide customized experiences that celebrate memories for people 55 years old and older.

The Capital Area Intermediate Unit(CAIU) is a PCA regional Arts in Education partner that works in a three county region: Cumberland, Dauphin, and Lebanon. As a PCA, AIE Partner, CAIU facilitates the process of selecting artists for inclusion in the statewide database of artists and CAIU’s directory of rostered artists; identifies, educates and recruits schools and community organizations to the partnership; facilitates school and agency selection of an artist for a residency and their application for funding support; supports artist through the residency planning, implementation and evaluation process. 

Schools, community organizations, libraries, and other public and private organizations are welcome to become a residency host site. CAIU serves as the liaison between the host and artist to ensure a successful and rewarding program. CAIU staff assists with contracts, handles housing and travel arrangements, and collects and disperses all fees.

Residencies range from 10-20 days and are jointly funded by CAIU and the hosting education system. Business, community and government leaders are encouraged to provide valuable monetary support to help make this cost-effective, quality education available.

Artists are carefully screened, qualified, and guided to work cooperatively with teachers. Their programs typically include engaging, memorable, hands-on activities including dance, literature, drama, visual arts, music and theatre.

Choose a discipline that is of interest to you and your students. Dance ,drama, visual arts, music, and theatre can be incorporated into any curriculum. Muralist working with history students to create a graphic local history? Jazz musician teaching improvisation to the band? Fabric artist working with ag students? Dancer in a gym class? Poet in a math class? Mobile for a big open space?

Some questions to consider:

• Are there specific interests that you and your students have?
• Is there a culture that you and your students would like to explore in a new way?
• Is there a possibility that an artist in residency program could evolve into a community project?
• Which curriculum areas would you want to include in the artist-in-residency experience?
• Are there resources in the community to help with funding and/or materials?

Contact Beth Cappello at the CAIU. CAIU will be responsible for contacting the artist, scheduling, negotiating, creating agreement contracts, and making payments. We make travel arrangements and publicize your project.

Determine your source for funding the required match. Typical sources include your school's PTO/PTA/PTG, a district budget line item, student or teacher activity funds, donations from local organizations (Lion's Club, Civic Clubs) and fundraisers (Band boosters, sub sales, car washes, etc.)