Arts-Integrated Program Spotlight: RAISE at BPS#74
- Arts for Learning
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Strengthening academic engagement
Supporting emotional development
Building connected school communities
Arts for Learning WNY is pleased to highlight its continued RAISE programming at BPS #74 Hamlin Park Claude & Ouida Clapp Academy, where 3rd and 4th grade classrooms are participating in a May-June residency designed to deepen learning through the integration of art, movement, and emotional expression.
Led by Teaching Artists Kristin Brandt and Cassondra Argeros, the residency is closely aligned with classroom instruction, building on curriculum concepts students have explored throughout the school year. Through this work, students are supported in making meaningful connections between academic content and their own lived experiences, while strengthening skills in expression, reflection, and collaboration.
A central focus of the residency is fostering community and elevating student voice. From there, students explore a range of artistic disciplines as tools for both creative expression and deeper understanding.
As Teaching Artist Kristin Brandt explains, “Student artists will express themselves with a variety of media and art forms through a community lens. Utilizing restorative circles and community agreements to begin each program provides a sense of agency and belonging. Our goal is to use different art mediums and vocabulary to increase art, cultural, and academic competency.”
Throughout the residency, students are developing original work that reflects both academic learning and individual voice.
The celebration will continue with a year-end wrap-up featuring a performance by Performance Artist Kevin McCarthy, offering a joyful close to the school year and a positive send-off into summer. This event will also give students the opportunity to share their work with peers and families, highlighting both creative growth and classroom connection.
Through this RAISE residency, Hamlin Park PS74 continues to demonstrate the vital role of the arts in strengthening academic engagement, supporting emotional development, and building strong, connected school communities.
The Responsive Arts in School Education Project (RAISE) is a five-year project designed to forge a new model of collaboration between Teaching Artists and school support teams. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and led by Young Audiences, Inc., with Arts for Learning WNY as one of 19 affiliate organizations.
Check out Teaching Artist Kristin Brandt’s latest visit to fellow affiliate Young Audiences of Louisiana (YALA) and see how she’s implementing what she learned in our own community!
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