INSPIRE:
Imaginatively eNgaging Students with Performance and Innovation in Roanoke-area Education

INSPIRE, Jefferson Center's Artists-in-Schools program, makes it simple for schools in Roanoke, the New River Valley, and surrounding areas to treat their students to visual art, music and dance performance from diverse cultural traditions.

Schools are welcome to make plans now to bring any of our current INSPIRE artists to their schools in the 2007-08 school year. Call Anne Elise Thomas, Ph.D. at (540) 343-2624 ext. 217 to schedule a program with any of the following artists.

Call For Artists

Click on the links below to view a description of each artist's INSPIRE program: Classroom and Assembly Programs:

• Einstein’s Monkey
• Tina Liza Jones
• Hoorah Cloggers
• New Roanoke Jug Band
• Scott Perry
• Solazo
• Anne Elise Thomas
• Los Gatos
• Mandara
• Cyrus Pace Trio
• Cheryl Lunsford
• The Kusun Ensemble (touring artist - limited availability)
• Toni Blackman (touring artist - limited availability)

Residencies
Visual Arts Residencies

• Katherine Devine
• Steve Owens

Performing Arts Residencies

• American Roots Music and Dance Residency
• Middle Eastern Music and Dance
• The Kusun Ensemble (touring artist - limited availability)
• Scott Perry
• Cheryl Lunsford

To book an INSPIRE in-school assembly or artist residency:
Contact Anne Elise Thomas, Educational Program Coordinator at (540) 343-2624 ext. 217, or by email at athomas@jeffcenter.org to schedule a program with any of our INSPIRE artists.
Please have the following information prepared before you call:

• Name and address of school and name of school contact person
• Billing name and address (if different)
• Each program and artist/ensemble in which you are interested
• Your school calendar and daily schedule
• Number of programs required
• Grade levels and number of students who will attend each program
• Special curricular tie-ins or requests
• Directions to your school from downtown Roanoke

Call For Artists

We are looking for artists and performers who

• Have a thorough knowledge of their art form and practice or perform their art at a professional level.
• Enjoy working with K-12 students and are able to engage and communicate effectively with groups of students in classroom or assembly settings.
• Are able to convey the cultural or historical background of their art.
• Can design their program to address Virginia's Standards of Learning at different grade levels.
• Have reliable transportation

If you would like to be considered for participation in Jefferson Center's INSPIRE program, please download, complete and submit the application to Anne Elise Thomas, Educational Programs Coordinator, 541 Luck Ave SW, Suite 221, Roanoke, VA 24016. For more information or to discuss your proposal, contact Anne Elise at (540) 343-2624, ext. 217 or by email at athomas@jeffcenter.org

** Applications are now being considered for the 2008-2009 INSPIRE Roster

Download artist application here

Return to top