BCTA
BCTA
Building Community Through the Arts (BCTA) is an artist-in-residency program that brings theatre and dance into classrooms as tools for learning, collaboration, and connection. Through partnerships between teaching artists and classroom educators, students engage in creative processes that deepen understanding, strengthen community, and transform the learning environment.
Why do Artist-in-Residence programs matter?
Arts-integrated learning helps students engage more deeply with content while strengthening social and emotional skills.
BCTA programs:
- Foster collaboration and respect among students
- Support communication and self-expression
- Build confidence and creative risk-taking
- Strengthen classroom relationships
- Engage students who may not respond to traditional instruction
Educators consistently report that BCTA residencies help transform classroom culture and student engagement.
What is BCTA?
Building Community Through the Arts (BCTA) is a program which places professional teaching artists directly into classrooms to collaborate with educators and students. The program integrates theatre and dance into academic settings — often in subjects where arts instruction is not traditionally offered.
Rather than focusing on performance alone, BCTA emphasizes process: collaboration, creative problem-solving, communication, and reflection. Students work together to develop original movement and performance pieces connected to classroom learning or social themes.
How does BCTA work?
Each BCTA residency is designed in collaboration with the host school to meet specific classroom needs.
Typical program elements include:
- Placement of a teaching artist in the classroom
- Collaborative planning with the classroom teacher
- Multiple residency sessions over a defined period
- Student creation of original movement or performance work
- A culminating sharing or reflection experience
Programs are often supported through grants and partnerships, allowing schools to participate with little or no cost.
Bring BCTA to your school
Schools interested in hosting a Building Community Through the Arts residency are encouraged to contact MAAE to discuss availability, scheduling, and funding opportunities. Whether you are looking to enhance classroom engagement, build community, or explore arts integration, BCTA can be tailored to your school’s goals.
BCTA Community Gatherings
As part of the Building Community Through the Arts program, MAAE periodically brings participating students, educators, and teaching artists together for shared learning experiences, performances, and professional workshops.
These gatherings strengthen connections across schools and communities while celebrating the collaborative work developed through BCTA residencies. For example, in 2021, the program expanded to high school ELA educators with the goal to build the capacity and confidence of educators in implementing theater strategies into their curriculum and instructional practices.
Support BCTA
BCTA is made possible through grants, partnerships, and individual contributions. Support helps ensure that teaching artists can continue bringing creative, community-building experiences to classrooms across Maine.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
