We are all working in a very different environment than we were a year ago. For teaching artists, whose work is often conducted in such spaces as K-12 classrooms, community centers, and senior care facilities, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on where and how they can safely ply their trade. At the same time, the populations they serve in these spaces are experiencing the pressures and stress of adjusting to their new normal.
In response to these challenges, the Arizona Commission on the Arts is offering a pair of new grants to support Arizona teaching artists in the creation of virtual mini-lessons that focus on mindfulness, fun, and relief for young people and older adults as well as their guardians and caregivers.
Artists will be compensated $500 to produce (1) mini-lesson video, with the opportunity to produce up to (3) for a total of $1,500, plus an additional $125 stipend to attend virtual trainings.
Virtual Mini-Lesson Grant: K-12
This Teaching Artist Opportunity provides funding and training to support Arizona teaching artists in the creation of virtual lessons for diverse learners. Selected artists will produce mini-lessons to be shared via online platforms to support educators, parents, and caregivers. The virtual mini-lessons will focus on mindfulness, fun and relief for learners and their caregivers through COVID-19 and beyond.
The K-12 Virtual Mini-Lessons will:
- Be created for one of the following age demographics: 3-5, 6-9, 10-13, and 14-18.
- Be 15-20 minutes in length.
- Support both the Arizona Arts Standards and the Social Emotional Learning Competencies.
Teaching artists selected to participate in the K-12 Virtual Mini-Lesson Grant will be required to participate in three virtual trainings with a focus on strengthening technical skills, incorporating the Social Emotional Learning Competencies into arts learning lessons and accessibility for virtual learning spaces. Teaching artists will learn tools and techniques to utilize existing teaching skills to create innovative and relevant virtual lessons.
Virtual Mini-Lesson Grant: Creative Aging
This Teaching Artist Opportunity provides funding and training to support Arizona teaching artists in the creation of virtual lessons for older adults. Selected artists will produce short virtual mini-lessons to support aging organizations and caregivers. The virtual mini-lessons will enrich the lives of older adults across the aging spectrum and provide relief for learners and their caregivers through COVID-19 and beyond.
The Creative Aging Virtual Mini-Lessons will:
- Be created specifically for adults 55+.
- Be 15-20 minutes in length.
- Support the principles and values of Creative Aging.
Teaching artists selected to participate in the Creative Aging Virtual Mini-Lesson Grant will be required to participate in three virtual trainings with a focus on strengthening technical skills, incorporating Creative Aging best practices and accessibility for virtual learning spaces. Teaching artists will learn tools and techniques to utilize existing teaching skills to create innovative and relevant virtual lessons.
