The roster for Quad City Arts’ 2022-2023 Visiting Artist Series is set, and we are ready to begin taking scheduling requests! 

Teachers and principals of all Quad City Area schools are invited to schedule an outreach visit from a professional performing artist during the upcoming school year through the Visiting Artist Series. 

Schools can sign up for activities with our artists in residence ranging from all-school performances to hands-on workshops and performance opportunities. 

Experiences in past seasons have included drama workshops for high school students with an East Coast theatre ensemble, a technique discussion for junior high band students from a Toronto, Canada, jazz ensemble, a side-by-side concert performance with a Texas string quartet, and hip-hop dance presentations on history and technique for elementary students— all arts experiences that students would otherwise not have access to. 

School staff from public and private schools can schedule residency engagements for this fall and next spring by visiting quadcityarts.com/vas-scheduling. Visiting artist engagements are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The form found at the link is a request form for one or more engagements. You will receive a confirmation email once your request has been submitted. 

The series serves students and community members in Clinton, Scott, and Muscatine Counties in Iowa, and Henry, Rock Island, and Mercer Counties in Illinois. 

For more information about the Visiting Artist Series program, visit quadcityarts.com/vas. If you have any issues or questions regarding this form or the scheduling process, please let me know. We look forward to sharing the outstanding performing artists scheduled for next season with Quad City area students!

Quad City Arts will begin hosting artists in residence for the 2022-2023 Visiting Artist Series this September. Residencies will continue through May 2023 and will focus on presenting outreach engagements in schools and community sites in and around the Quad Cities. 

The roster of professional performing artists is as follows: 

• SON MONARCAS - Latin-folk fusion ensemble 
  In residence September 19-23 
• THE REMINDERS - Hip-hop duo
  In residence October 3-7 
• LADAMA​ - Latin-alternative band 
  In residence October 24-28 
• SKY CONSORT ​AND EMMA BJÖRLING - Trans-Atlantic band 
  In residence January 23-27 
• BROKEN BOX MIME THEATER - Physical theater company  
  In residence February 6-10 
• ALLA ​BOARA​ - Modern Italian folk 
  In residence February 27- March 3 
• EISENHOWER ​DANCE DETROIT - Contemporary dance
  In residence March 20-24 
• DESSA ​​- Singer, rapper, and writer 
  In residence April 10-14 
• MARTHA ​REDBONE - Native American & African American vocalist/song writer 
  In residence May 8-12  

Find out more about the artists and the lineup on our website: www.quadcityarts.com/vas-scheduling

Every year, teachers and program directors bring a world-class performing arts resource into their buildings by simply opening their doors.

The artists and ensembles who walk through the door are more traditional than technological; they aren’t trained in robotics, webcasting, or video editing. They aren’t equipped with motion cameras or 3-D printing. But they are priceless in the expertise that they bring into every gym, auditorium, and classroom.

The artists and ensembles who are selected for a residency in the Visiting Artist Series are highly accomplished and frequently recognized or awarded at a national and international level. They are selected for both their artistic talents and their ability to engage public audiences, particularly students.

Each season of the Visiting Artist Series presents high-quality examples of music, dance, and theater. The purpose of each school or community site visit isn’t solely performance; it’s about modeling the hard work, dedication, and proficiency mindset that allowed them to become top-tier professional artists. These artists have an ear for music, feet made for dancing, and a voice made to carry through an auditorium. Despite the differences in their genres and their art forms, they all have a brain for the arts.

The outreaches given by each visiting artist during a week-long residency provide an experience that builds on classroom discussion, enhances school curriculum, adds to students’ knowledge of the performing arts from around the world, and develops future audience members.

This spring, the series was forced to cancel two residencies — one planned for steel drum player John Patti in March and another in May for multi-genre quintet Jarabe Mexicano. These two artists were part of the 46th season that featured a dozen other artists and ensembles for outreach performances in the Quad City region.

John Patti’s performance moves jazz and blues to a new level by adding the unique island flare of the steel drum. Patti is well versed in various genres of music, from sophisticated jazz to island jazz and the reggae sounds of the steel pan, R&B, Motown, and blues gives his performance some groove and soul.
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