Once a week at the Carr Court Community Center, children and youth from low-income families participate in arts workshops and activities led by local professional artists and assisted by volunteers from the community. The Artist Residency Project is made up of a series of 3-month residencies, during which children learn about various arts disciplines and explore African-American culture through the arts. They re-create the music, dance, arts and crafts, food and stories of African village life; design and make African story and collage quilts; build and learn to play steel drums and other instruments. These arts activities are part of a larger after-school program that includes tutoring; mentoring; taking field trips to local museums, arts exhibits and performances; as well as participating in social activities, personal health and safety presentations and athletics. Speaking about the African Village Celebration the children perform at The ArtsCenter for parents, friends and the public, Susan Gamling, director of the Project, says, "The kids confronted and worked through their own fears of speaking and performing in front of others. Their communication and social skills have improved dramatically. They have learned to express themselves through words, rather than acting out physically. "The ArtsCenter, St. Joseph's Methodist Church, the Carrboro Community Police Officers Association, AmeriCorps service students and other local volunteer and community organizations have teamed up with the Carr Court Junior Association, the community's youth group, to provide these safe, enriching after-school activities for children.