Northern Tier Partnership for Arts in Education (NTPAIE)

Artist in Residence Program

The Northern Tier Partnership for Arts in Education (NTPAIE) is a partnership program of the Bradford County Regional Arts Council and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA).  Initiated in 1997, the NTPAIE covers Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Sullivan, Tioga & Wyoming counties.  Through artist residencies, the program pursues the goals and mission that were developed by the advisory committee.

Bradford County Regional Arts Council also supports arts in education through the following programs:

• Arts Excellence Award – for high school seniors in Bradford & Sullivan Counties.
• The Learning Early Network – providing arts programming for early childhood centers.
• School-Time Youth Series Live Performances – for area students.
• Missoula Children’s Theatre – students 1st – 12th grade audition, rehearse, and produce a wonderful play with costumes and skits with two performances on the final day.
• Free in-school workshops – in conjunction with the Live Performance Series and Missoula Children’s Theatre. 

Mission:  NTPAIE strives to provide intensive, on-going arts experiences, that: affirm the creative potential of each person; enhance technical knowledge and ability; inspire creativity; stimulate the expression of personal vision; and applaud achievement.  The NTPAIE intends to nurture arts in education through collaborations among regional communities, schools and artists.

Philosophy:  The arts are an essential form of communication and a powerful means of expression.  Arts are integral to an individual’s basic education.  Partnerships between the arts community, schools and service agencies are critical for lifelong learning.

Goals: 
1.To provide arts education which: 

1. Engages parents and community in the creative growth of children.
2. Provide teachers with opportunities for professional development through arts experiences and activities, and interaction with artists.
3. Develop, through direct experience, all aspects of the creative process.
4. Include arts education experiences for special needs and gifted students.
5. Encourage lasting impact through intensive interaction, ongoing programming and follow-up activities.

2. To maintain a directory of regional artists selected for professional excellence, interest in and ability to work and communicate with children, educators, and members of the community.
3. To develop assessment procedures for NTPAIE programs; to assess programs; to implement changes based upon evaluation outcomes.

NTPAIE Directory Artist Vanessa Knause (Dance) working with Head Start teacher, Rosie Engle at Canton Head Start as part of BCRAC’s arts in early childhood programming. Children are sharing the color of the stars they captured from the sky.

What is an Artist Residency?
Artist Residencies place practicing professional artists approved by the PCA in host organizations such as schools, day cares, youth groups, rehabilitation centers, and special needs facilities, for an extended time period.  Host sites work collaboratively to develop and implement an artistic program tailored to engage students, teachers, and the community in the creative process within one or more art forms.  Directly related to the curriculum or community issues, the arts experience concentrates on a core group of learners but benefits the entire organization and community through workshops, presentations, and culminating events.

For more information on any of the above arts in education programs contact Brenda S. Thomas, Director for Arts in Education at the BCRAC at 570-268-2787 or brenda@bcrac.org