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February 13, 2026

NC Arts Education

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In This Issue

• Regional Training for SCOS and Honors Implementation
• Free Music Teacher Training at Appalachian State University
• What's Behind the Numbers
• Copyright & Creativity Webinar
• NCTC Spring Scholarships
• One World, Many Arts
• NCMEA Call for Proposals
• Scholarships Available for Music Will’s Modern Band Summit
• Save The Music Foundation Spring 2026 Free Virtual Workshop Series

NC Arts Council Corner

• Arts learning initiatives from the North Carolina Arts Council

Regional Training for SCOS and Honors Implementation

A.M. Session: 2024 SCOS

This half-day workshop helps Arts Ed teachers take the next step with the new SCOS after six months in the classroom. You'll explore essential tools on the Arts Ed Hub, unpack standards for clarity, and refine your own lessons or units for stronger alignment. Come ready to collaborate, troubleshoot challenges, and leave with resources you can use tomorrow.

This session is for K-12 Arts Educators and District Arts Education Leaders

P.M. Description: Local Honors Implementation of Entrance Levels

This regional session will support districts in preparing for the launch of Honors-level Arts Education courses at the Novice, Developing, Beginning, and Intermediate levels in 2027–28. Participants will explore state expectations for Honors coursework and work in school-based teams to begin developing locally aligned honors tasks, assessments, and instructional approaches that reflect authentic arts rigor.

This session is for High School Arts Educators, District Arts Education Leaders, and Honors Implementation Coordinators

Free Music Teacher Training at Appalachian State University

Amplifying Engagement K-8 Music Educator and Pre-Service Teacher Professional Development

Friday, March 20, 2026 9 am - 3 pm 

App State Academy at Middle Fork

Free!

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This FREE Professional Development (PD) is open to pre-service and practicing K-8 elementary music educators interested in relevant, practical tools to apply in their classrooms. This "Amplifying Engagement" professional development day is made possible with grant support from Appalachian State University's Reich College of Education.

This PD will serve as a preview for the Appalachian State Orff Schulwerk Teacher Education Level I course scheduled for June 15–26, 2026—a nationally recognized program that began in 2002 and has supported countless music educators. By aligning spring and summer offerings, we aim to build momentum for future school partnerships, foster community, and strengthen music education across Western North Carolina.

Register by Friday, April 17 at bit.ly/AmplifyingEngagement2026

Contact Erin Ellington with questions: ellingtone@appstate.edu

Expanding Connections K-8 Music Educator and Pre-Service Teacher Professional Development

This new feature in the arts ed newsletter highlights data from the National Arts Education Data Project and how others are using the data to shape conversations around the nation.
To start conversations about NC Arts Education data, visit the dashboard at:
artsednc.org/resources/arts-education-data-project/

The Number: 2.8%

On its own, a number like 2.8% does not actually tell us very much.

Is it low? Is it expected? Is it improving, or signaling a deeper access issue? Without context, it is just a statistic. Numbers only become powerful when we understand what they represent, who is included, and what structural factors shape them.

In this case, context changes everything.

In Delaware, 2.8% represents the theatre participation rate for the 2024 school year. It is the highest rate in the past five years and reflects a modest increase from 2023. At the same time, it underscores how limited overall access to theatre remains.

What the Data Shows

According to the data:

• The theatre participation rate reached 2.8% in 2024
• Participation increased by roughly 3% relative to 2023
• 2024 is the highest point in the 2020–2024 period
• Participation dipped to 2.3% in 2021 and has increased steadily since
• Overall change from 2020 (2.7%) to 2024 (2.8%) is +0.1 percentage points

Grade-level participation patterns show sharp differences:

• Elementary: 0.0%
• Middle: 1.5%
• High: 3.1%
• Mixed-grade schools: 8.9%

Uptake data adds critical context (participation rate in schools where theatre is present):

• Theatre uptake in 2024 is 9.0%
• Uptake increased 6% from 2023 (8.5% → 9.0%)
• Uptake trends by year:
• • 2020: 9.4%
  • 2021: 8.4%
  • 2022: 8.6%
  • 2023: 8.5%
  • 2024: 9.0%

What’s Really Going On (The Story Behind 2.8%)

This number reflects limited availability combined with concentrated participation where theatre exists.

Several structural factors are shaping the data:

• Theatre is largely absent at the elementary level, driving the 0.0% rate
• Participation rises as theatre becomes more available in middle and high school, where it is typically elective
• Mixed-grade schools show much higher participation, suggesting broader access or integrated program models
• The gap between low participation (2.8%) and much higher uptake (9.0%) indicates that students enroll when theatre is offered

In short, low participation does not signal lack of interest. It signals limited access and late entry points.

Why This Number Matters

A small statewide percentage can still reveal important system behavior.

What it confirms:

• Theatre participation in Delaware is slowly increasing, not declining
• Student interest is evident where programs are available
• Structural access, not demand, is the primary constraint
• What it does not yet reveal:
• How many schools offer theatre at all
• Whether staffing or scheduling limits expansion
• How participation varies by district beyond grade structure

A rising number can still represent a narrow pipeline.

What This Means for Advocates

Use 2.8% alongside grade-level and uptake data.

Talking points:

• “Delaware’s theatre participation rate reached its highest level in five years.”
• “Participation is near zero in elementary school and grows only where theatre is offered later.”
• “Nearly 1 in 10 students enroll in theatre when it is available.”

Key advocacy question:

What would happen to theatre participation if access expanded earlier and more consistently across grade levels?

Theatre in Delaware is showing signs of demand and gradual growth. The leverage now lies in expanding access, not convincing students to enroll.

Copyright & Creativity Webinar

Join our C&C Ambassadors (fellow teachers!) as they share their experiences using our positive, plug-n-play, K-12 resources.   Learn how to teach the essentials of copyright, fair use, Creative Commons, and more!

NCTC Spring Scholarships

Applications now open! 2026 NCTC William Rackley Undergraduate Theatre Scholarship= The William Rackley Undergraduate Theatre Scholarship was established to support undergraduate study in the field of drama/theatre. The scholarship is an unrestricted award of up to $3,000. Rising college juniors and seniors who graduated from a North Carolina high school and are now enrolled full-time at a college or university in North Carolina, pursuing a major in a drama/theatre program are eligible to apply. Deadline: March 31

One World, Many Arts

A professional learning opportunity for K-12 and community college educators of all disciplines to gain knowledge of various art forms from around the world. Together we will explore examples of the ways different cultures use the arts to celebrate, reflect, document, and heal societies. The arts have a unique ability to open new dialogues and stimulate ideas which leads to a deeper understanding of our global connectivity. Educators will leave with strategies to expand global perspectives in classrooms.

**NOTE: Limited scholarships are available for K-12 educators from the following districts: Bertie County Schools, Halifax County Schools, Hertford County Schools, Northampton County Schools, Warren County Schools, or Weldon City Schools. If you are interested in receiving one of these scholarships please email worldview@unc.edu.

NCMEA Call for Proposals

NCMEA 2026 Call for Proposals – “The Future Sounds Like This”

The Future Sounds Like This invites music educators to explore how today’s teaching shapes tomorrow’s musicians, creators, and listeners. Through innovative pedagogy, emerging technologies, and evolving classroom practices, the conference examines where music education is headed and how educators can lead that change with purpose and creativity. Sessions will highlight student-centered approaches that foster musical excellence, cultural relevance, and lifelong engagement. Together, we will imagine—and actively build—a future in which music education empowers every student to find their voice and contribute meaningfully to the world through sound.

NCMEA invites session proposals to be submitted for consideration for the 2026 NCMEA Professional Development Conference in Winston-Salem, NC on November 7-10, 2026. We invite proposals that cultivate a vision of music education that is inclusive, collaborative, and expansive.

The deadline for submission is March 2, 2026 at 5:00pm EST.

Guidelines and submission link: https://www.ncmea.net/submit-a-proposal/

Scholarships Available for Music Will’s Modern Band Summit

Music Will is excited to share that there are scholarships available for teachers to attend Level Up: The 2026 Modern Band Summit this summer, July 22-24, 2026, in Fort Collins, CO. There is a limited number of scholarships for teachers in rural areas. These scholarships are available through the support of a generous donor for:  Room and board, and/or Travel You may notice that registration is not on the list. That’s because the registration cost has also been waived this year through generous support of donors. Music Will is committed to reducing as many barriers as possible for teachers to access professional learning that is real and relevant to them so together we can transform music education.  Teachers interested in scholarships should complete the 2026 Modern Band Summit Application as soon as possible to be considered for the initial round of scholarship funds. The initial deadline is Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 11: 59 PM PT. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with final notifications sent by Friday, April 3, 2026.  Can’t attend the summit? Check out the workshops in your area, the Music Will Academy for asynchronous professional learning, or JamZone for free curricular resources.  If you have questions, contact us schools@musicwill.org.

Save The Music Foundation Spring 2026 Free Virtual Workshop Series

Save The Music Foundation is proud to announce its Spring 2026 free virtual workshop series. Workshops are open to educators of all content areas and grade levels, especially K-12 music teachers. Participants will learn ways to engage students in the classroom with accessible resources and hands-on instruction from the support of our partner organizations.

Join us live at a upcoming workshop listed below. A digital certificate of professional development attendance will be offered to attendees after each session. You can also visit our archives for all previous virtual workshops with accompanying resources. See you at a workshop soon!

Microphone Types and Techniques with Shure
Wednesday, February 25th
6:30-7:30 PM Eastern Time

Join STM and Shure for a workshop where participants will learn about the three main types of microphones, how they work and how to select the right microphone for the classroom. You will hear and see examples of Shure microphones in a variety of form factors and price points. Come ready to learn and ask questions in this interactive workshop led by Shure’s Senior Market Development Manager, Laura Davidson.

Songwriting Strategies with Music Will
Wednesday, March 4th
6:00-7:00 PM Eastern Time

Join STM and Music Will for an interactive workshop about songwriting. Music creation is a key part of our standards, but getting started can be intimidating. In this session, we will explore songwriting activities such as writing chord progressions, lyrics, rhythmic accompaniment, and more! Our presenter for this session is Mary Claxton, Director of Teaching & Learning at Music Will. 

My Life as an Album with Rock Hall EDU
Wednesday, March 18th
6:30-7:30 PM Eastern Time

Join STM and Rock Hall EDU for an interactive workshop where educators will experience My Life as an Album, a creative, music-centered activity that helps students reflect on identity, self-expression, and belonging. Participants will explore how album covers, titles, and song choices function as storytelling tools, then practice guiding students through meaningful reflection and discussion. Our presenters for this session are Kathryn Clusman, Director of Education & Community Engagement, and Katie Mullins, Education Instructor, K-12 Focus, both of Rock Hall EDU.

Welcome to the North Carolina Arts Council Arts Education Corner! The North Carolina Arts Council Arts Education Corner is a new monthly newsletter feature supporting arts educators statewide. Each month, we'll share valuable resources, highlight opportunities for teachers and students, and showcase the incredible work of schools, organizations and teaching artists who are making an impact in their communities. 

Celebrating Black History Month in the Classroom

Black History Month honors the profound impact that African Americans have had on our culture and history. Explore these classroom resources to share stories and contributions from African Americans in North Carolina with your students:

1. Celebrate in person at the 25th Annual African American Cultural Celebration (AACC), on February 28, at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Visitors will enjoy live demonstrations and performances by artists, historians, musicians, writers, and community organizations highlighting African Americans’ influence on North Carolina’s culture.
2. Bring the celebration to your classroom with the AACC Virtual Education Day, on Friday, February 27. Stream storytelling performances, music, hands-on craft demonstrations, and more from past Cultural Education Days.
3. Discover more events and stories with Lift Every Voice: Celebrating Black N.C. History, from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. This page features an events calendar, engaging stories, and educational resources.
4. Explore the Black History Month toolkit from the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission. It includes a calendar of events, curated book lists, details about the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail, African American Heritage Sites, and more.
5. Share the stories of influential African American artists from North Carolina. The North Carolina Museum of Art offers resources on such visual artists as Romare Bearden, André Leon Gray, and Beverly McIver. Plus, My Music with Rhiannon Giddens, from PBS North Carolina, provides videos for grades 9–12, complete with lesson plans aligned to state standards. In this series, Rhiannon explores traditional Black music and interviews musicians such as Justin Roberts, Rissi Palmer, and Adia Victoria.

Subscribe to Art Matters to stay in touch with the N.C. Arts Council and read about the artists and arts organizations that make our state great.

Visit Our Arts Ed Hub for More Information!

North Carolina's Vision for Comprehensive Arts Education In today's globally competitive world, innovative thinking and creativity are essential for all school children. High quality, standards-based instruction in the arts develops these skills and effectively engages, retains, and prepares future-ready students for graduation and success in an entrepreneurial economy. Dance, music, theatre arts, and visual arts, taught by licensed arts educators and integrated throughout the curriculum, are critical to North Carolina's 21st century education. (Senate Bill 66: Comprehensive Arts Education Task Force, 2010) Learn More about Comprehensive Arts Education NCDPI Arts Education - NCDPI Arts Education Website @ncartsed - NCDPI Arts Education Instagram @nck12artsed - NCDPI Facebook   Contact Us! Laura Stauderman: K-12 Dance and Visual Arts Consultant Brandon Roeder: K-12 Music and Theatre Arts Consultant

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