What does a Teaching Artist do?
For professional artists, educational institutions have long been havens: providing much-needed funding and consistency through temporary positions like visiting artist and artist-in-residence. In contrast with these short-term positions, however, is an emerging career based around equal commitment to the arts and education: the teaching artist. Rather, they are working artists who acquire training in education and make it central to their professional life. They are committed to the marriage of pedagogy and artistry, using their work as artists to inform their teaching and vice versa.
At a Glance
Being a teaching artist is as much a way of life as it is an emerging career. Most study their art as undergraduates and work as professional artists before discovering and pursuing an interest in education. Specific teaching certificates and advanced degrees in education could be necessary, depending on the type of positions one is pursuing.
Teaching artists practice a wide range of arts, including music, dance, drama, opera, film, and writing. Freelance teaching artists could take performance/education jobs in non-traditional settings such as community centers, museums, hospitals, senior centers, homeless shelters, prisons, and social service agencies.
- Practical arts knowledge: music, dance, theater, visual arts, writing, etc.
- Creating a curriculum
- Leading a class
- Public speaking
- Time and classroom management
Teaching artists must have the ability to convert their artistic experiences into professional and educational approaches, infusing their teaching with authenticity, practicality, and depth—the qualities that separate teaching artists from non-practicing arts teachers and constitute the bulk of their appeal. The best teaching artists combine this unique perspective with lesson planning, classroom management, and communication skills.
Jobs for teaching artists may be full time, part time, seasonal, or short-term (e.g. a residency, teaching series, or workshop).
