Spotlights

How to Find a Teaching Artist, When you Need One!
Arts in Education Roster

Artists work and interact with communities in many ways. Actors work in the busy atmosphere of a theatre company, musicians and dancers often travel around to perform in large and small groups, visual artists and sculptors often spend much of their time working alone in their studios. Some artists take on the challenge of teaching their art form in schools and educational settings as “teaching artists.”

These artists can become partners with teachers bringing new ideas, skills, energy and creativity to the schools and communities they work with. They can also help teachers think about and develop new ways to integrate the arts across the curriculum.

The New Hampshire State Council on the Arts understands that it can be daunting to find an artist who has the experience and skills needed to work effectively in an educational environment. We also understand that teaching artists may find it difficult to let schools know they are interested and available to work with them. To meet these needs and the needs of many other types of artists, the State Arts Council maintains juried rosters, lists and directories of artists. The New Hampshire Artist Roster has several categories including Arts Education.

Arts in Education Roster artists represent a wide range of cultural approaches and artistic disciplines such as painting, sculpture, clay work, music, dance, storytelling and theatre. They are juried based upon the artistic quality of their work, their professional commitment and their experience working in a variety of educational settings. Applicants go through a three-step evaluation process that includes: a written application, a review for artistic excellence, and an interview and/or teaching demonstration. They are also asked to provide three recommendations from schools or educators they have worked with.

Newest members to the Arts Education Roster are: Shana Brautigan, a potter; Ellen Carlson, a fiddler; Shiao Ping Wang Chu, a painter and calligrapher; Ethan Hamby, a potter; and Erin Sweeney, a book arts artist.

Artist Residencies in Schools (AIR) grants help schools to bring teaching artists to work with students. FY12 guidelines will support projects from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

• To learn more about AIR grants click here.
• To learn about our other grant categories, click here.
• To find a teaching artist, click here.
• To learn how to apply to become a roster artist, click here.
• For schools wanting to host an artist residency, click here for resources to get you started.

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The arts are making a difference in communities throughout New Hampshire.
For more information on things to do and enjoy in New Hampshire, visit our calendars section.
Learn more about State Arts Council grants and program services.

Last updated: November 8, 2010