The Performing Arts Training Center (PATC) was opened in 1967 in East St. Louis, Illinois by world-renowned African American dancer Katherine Dunham who was then Artist-in-Residence at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Dunham partnered with SIUE's Experiment in Higher Education to add educational resources to the program and give the youth of East St. Louis a better educational experience. The PATC (later known as the Katherine Dunham Center for the Performing Arts) offered credit and non-credit courses in such arts as dance, martial arts, and crafts. At times, its company of dancers has toured widely. Now known as the Performing Arts Program, it is a part of SIUE's East St. Louis Center, References External links SIUE East St. Louis Center SIUE Performing arts education in the United States Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Performing arts in Illinois