Unkechaug Nation

Patchogue Arts Council PEACE Project acknowledges that the land on which our space stands, at 20 Terry Street, Patchogue, NY, is part of the traditional territory of the Unkechaug Nation. We honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between Unkechaug people and their ancestral territories. We recognize the deep cultural and artistic contributions of the Indigenous peoples, past and present, who have shaped and continue to influence this land. We honor and respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land on which we gather, create, and celebrate the arts.

PAC's PEACE Project

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).

PEACE

…Brings Teachers & Cultural Partners Together for arts-based professional development in an annual summer institute, a monthly online community of practice, and monthly cultural gatherings called “PEACE Outs” to tackle issues of teaching and learning through the arts and raising up the voices and needs of underrepresented learners.

…Grows a Critical Community of Practice as 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.

…Provides Partnership Resources through funding, communication, and technical support among schools and cultural partners to ensure that robust arts education partnerships thrive for many years to come.

…Amplifies 21st Century Ideas by sharing best practices, materials, and methods across a national network as well as a county-wide youth advisory group.

Applications will re-open in 2025.

Are you a high or middle school teacher or staff looking to make learning more inclusive and creative and help students to be more successful in College, Career, and Civic Readiness?

Are you an artist or cultural organization staff trying to expand your meaningful school engagement? Join us, and discover arts integration through all curricular areas while building a network of education colleagues and cultural partners such as museums, science centers, galleries, performing arts centers, cinema arts, and multidisciplinary artists.

Patchogue Arts Council PEACE (Partners in Education, Arts, & Community Empowerment) empowers educators and cultural partners in Suffolk County middle and high schools to make more effective use of the arts for underrepresented students through College, Career, and Civic Readiness (CCCR) and Culturally Responsive-Sustaining education (CR-S).

This 1.8 million dollar project is funded by the US Department of Education which includes generous support for making a difference in your school by providing educators, teaching artists and cultural partners the opportunity to attend the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Arts Integration Institute. We are seeking a team of educators and cultural partners to design and implement projects that will increase student college, career, and civic readiness through the arts.

United States Department of Education: Assistance in Arts Education Grant Project

This 5-year project is supported 100% by federal funds awarded through a highly competitive grant with the US Department of Education (USDOE). Patchogue Arts Council (PAC) is proud to continue the work and rigorous research that was developed with prior USDOE funding to Eastern Suffolk Board of Cooperative Educational Services (ESBOCES).

The PEACE project is the only funded Assistance in Arts Education (AAE) US Department of Education grant project on Long Island. If you would like to become part of this ground-breaking, inspirational, education changing project, please contact us at peaceproject@patchoguearts.org

The PEACE project is committed to shaping a diverse, inclusive, and equitable art education community. We strive to create a welcoming and affirming environment where all individuals feel a sense of belonging. We strongly encourage applications from perspectives that have been historically underrepresented within our society, including but not limited to individuals who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with disabilities*.

*The PEACE team understands these identity categories can be viewed as an umbrella terminology and should not be used when referencing a specific group or population. If you are mentioning a specific population or individual within these communities, use specific language to be as accurate as possible.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

PEACE was inspired by ten years of research conducted by Eastern Suffolk BOCES with funding from the US Department of Education, which found that learning experiences planned in schools among teachers, artists, and cultural organizations could strengthen student critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity, often known as 21st Century skills.

READ THE STUDY
PEACE logic model
Department of Education logoAssistance for Arts Education logo

This program is made possible with funds from the Department of Education Assistance in Art Education Program.