The Patchogue Arts Council is now accepting application for their PEACE (Partners in Education, Arts, & Community Empowerment) Project program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education Assistance for Arts Education.

Applications for the project year, which are limited to 15 educators and ten teaching artists/cultural partners, are due on May 1 with selection notification by May 13.

“PEACE empowers educators and cultural partners in Long Island middle and high schools to make more equitable, socially just, and impactful use of the arts for underrepresented students by reducing barriers and promoting success for all, through College, Career, and Civic Readiness (CCCR) and Culturally Responsive-Sustaining education (CR-S),” said Beth Giacummo, executive director of PAC.

High school or middle school teachers/staff who are “looking to make learning more inclusive and creative and help students to be more successful in College, Career, and Civic Readiness” are encouraged to apply along with artists or cultural organizations “trying to expand meaningful school engagement?”

“By joining PEACE, and build a critical network of education colleagues and cultural partners who collaborate in fully-funded partnerships with multidisciplinary practitioners in all art forms, museums, science centers, galleries, performing arts centers, and cinema arts centers,” said Giacummo.

The PEACE project brings together teachers and cultural partners for arts-based professional development in an annual summer institute, a monthly online critical community of practice, and monthly cultural gatherings called “PEACE Outs” to tackle issues of teaching and learning through the arts.

The Critical Community of Practice involves a wide network of informed teachers, specialists, college/career counselors, school administrators, teaching artists, museums, performing arts centers, community, and cultural organizations who are empowered to use arts-based partnerships, instruction, and social justice practices to make visible the value of every person.

On offer to selected applicants:

• Attendance at the PEACE Orientation June 12, 2024.
• Attendance at the Summer Institute on July 1 & 2, 2024.
• Monthly online and/or live gatherings to share best practices.
• Individualized coaching/mentoring as needed.
• Monthly “PEACE Outs” – VIP invitations to cultural gatherings, receptions and concerts.
• Paid Professional Development for teaching artists.
• Funding for an arts-based project with your students.
• Stipends for selected educators.
• CTLE credit hours through Eastern Suffolk BOCES.
• Certificate of completion for all participants.
• Complimentary membership to Patchogue Arts Council • Museum of Contemporary Art L.I.
• Opportunity to nominate students for PEACE Ambassador program
• Teaching materials for classroom use.
• Digital PEACE Educator Badge