Living Arts

Detroit wolf trap (dwt) delivers pre-k performing arts based residencies in head start classrooms that have been proven to boost kindergarten readiness and help teachers acquire arts-learning instructional strategies. In addition to the professional mentorship and coaching educators receive through their residencies;they (and other teachers in their centers) are supported with professional development workshops. Head start family members are connected to their childrens classroom experiences through family workshops that coach them in ways they can support their childrens development at home. In addition, dwt spanish/english bilingual family involvement programs at the ford resource and engagement center(frec) engage parents, caregivers, and young children together in fun performingarts-based activities that help infants and young children acquire thesocial-emotional and emergent literacy skills they will need to succeed in school--in ways that are fun, lively, and encourage bonding. In the most recently completed program year, dwt reached more than 534 young children in 46 classrooms in detroit and metro detroit. 96% of these students are at or below the alice threshold.

In-school arts (isa) artist-in-residence programs bring teaching artists to k-12 detroit area schools to engage students in fine arts and arts-infused instruction that boosts arts skills and academic achievement in core curriculum subjects. Fine arts residencies deliver arts instruction that immerse students in painting, drawing, sculpture, dance, theater, creative writing and poetry, vocal and instrumental music, or digital media artsactivities that are not available in many detroit schools. The balance of residencies integrate arts lessons with english language arts, social studies, or math and science to directly support academic performance. In 2023-24, isa residencies reached more than 461 students in 22 classrooms in detroit public and charter schools. 85% of these students are at or below the alice threshold.