Cultural Arts Programs
The Arts at McDougle Elementary School
Since the school opened in 1996, MES has demonstrated its strong commitment to the arts, which we view as an important aspect of making this mission and vision a reality for all students. The MES arts curriculum is based on the Common Core and NC Essential Standards. The MES arts faculty - including Erin Rasmussen as the art teacher and Chelsea Kutner as the music teacher - plan and implement an academically engaging and enriching arts curriculum for the entire student body.
To enhance and complement the school’s arts curriculum, the MES PTA Cultural Arts Program aims to sponsor three or more high-quality, diverse professional performances each year. The performances are presented to all MES students at assemblies that take place during the school day. We are grateful for many years of OCAC grant funding support, which has enabled the PTA to consistently offer these performances to students. More information about the Orange County Arts Commission is available at https://artsorange.org/.
To round out our Cultural Arts Program, the PTA also funds a pottery residency for 4th grade students and a poetry residency for 5th grade students.
For questions and opportunities regarding the cultural arts at MES, please reach out to Daniela Miteva at daniela.miteva@gmail.com.
2019-2020 Performing Arts Performances
Mike Wiley’s Tired Souls, October 23, 2019, one show for 3rd-5th grade students.
Genre: historical drama
Description: Tired souls begins with the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white man - the catalyst that inspired Montgomery’s historical bus boycott. Tired Souls also introduces audiences to others who came before Mrs. Parks, who were so instrumental in lighting a fire under the Civil Rights movement and changing the course of U.S. history forever.
This program is supported by the Orange County Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Charles Pettee, Catch the Bluegrass Bug, February 12, 2020, one show for K-2nd grade students
Genre: bluegrass music performance
This multi-talented musician employs banjo, harmonica, guitar, mandolin, voice and a variety of hats which introduces you to the wonderful tapestry of sounds that make up the music of the Carolinas: music of the Pilgrims, native Americans, African-Americans , Piedmont Blues, Gospel and Bluegrass. There is never a dull moment as Mr. Pettee switches songs or hats, encouraging rhythmic clapping and spontaneous discussion throughout the show.
This program is supported by the Orange County Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Curious Theatre Collective’s Creekside: The Journey of a Young Activist, March 4, 2020, two shows, all students
Genre: interactive theatrical performance
The show tells the story of Mia, a young girl who discovers something wrong with the creek behind her house and sets out to make it better with the help of four famous female environmentalists who happen to wander by. Through music, audience participation, and narrative, students dive into concepts of environmental justice, interconnectedness, youth activism, and responsibility. This show was developed with support from the Orange County Arts Commission.
This program is supported by the Orange County Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
MES_MikeWiley_promotional flyer.pdfMES_CuriousTheatreCollective_promotional flyer.pdfMES_CharlesPettee_promotional flyer.pdf
