Recently I had the opportunity to visit a school residency program wherein students were engaged in a tile mural project. Third grade students were busily and eagerly painting ceramic pieces and even participating in the firing process! I found myself consumed by their enthusiasm, and itching to sit down to paint and fire a piece myself.
Teaching artists are a special breed of individual. They are called to balance their creative work as practicing artists with the continued development and specialization of educators. This balancing act takes dedication to one’s practice as well as a sincere interest in growing one’s skill set as an educator.
This week the Arizona Commission on the Arts launched the application process for the 2011-2012 Teaching Artist Roster. The Teaching Artist Roster is an online resource for schools and communities to locate high quality teaching artists, as well as a place for teaching artists to market their programs.
The Arts Commission is pleased to offer this juried roster to the field in support of the inspirational work teaching artists conduct in Arizona. If you have not yet discovered the Teaching Artist Roster, please visit and explore.
If you have worked with a phenomenal teaching artist who is not on the roster, please share our application with them. And if you are a teaching artist looking for a network of colleagues and an opportunity to share your work with the broader Arizona community, consider applying to the Arizona Teaching Artist Roster today!
Sincerely,
Mandy Buscas
Arts Learning Director
