Teach for Arts to Grow

Our teaching artists are professional artists who are also skilled, committed teachers.  We seek instructors who love children and find that teaching enriches their own lives and work. Our teaching artists help young people find outlets to express themselves and learn skills in a chosen art form.

 

Harlem RBI                      Photo Credit:Bill Stanton

 

Arts to Grow seeks teaching artists in the performing, visual, and literary arts.

Arts to Grow requires a minimum of one year experience as a lead teaching artist working with elementary, middle, or high school students.

To Apply for a Teaching Artist Position:

Send a cover letter, teaching artist resume, artist resume, and a
lesson plan sample to: Mallory King, mking@artstogrow.org

 

Teaching Philosophy of Arts to Grow

 

  • We believe that all young people gain essential skills of self-esteem, self-confidence, and motivation from the opportunity to participate in the creative process of making their own art.
  • Our classes seek to help young people become creative problem solvers, independent thinkers, and confident learners. 
  • Our programs encourage young people to approach art with a seriousness of intent.
  • We create opportunities for students to build discipline specific skills.
  • Our goal is to help young people connect with their own creativity, become inspired, and find joy in the process of learning.
  • We hold a deep respect for our teaching artists and believe that with guidance they can create the best curriculum to help young people reach our goals for learning through the arts.
  • Arts to Grow teaching artists and staff are lifelong learners. We seek ongoing opportunities for:
  • Sharing best practices
  • Assessing teaching artists and providing constructive feedback
  • Engaging in ongoing communications between teachers, students, Arts to Grow, and program partners.

Framework of an Arts to Grow Class

 

  • Students choose to participate in an Arts to Grow class.
  • Arts to Grow classes are a minimum of one hour, meeting once a week for eight weeks. This class length allows students to complete a project.
  • The duration and timing of Arts to Grow classes is always dependent on the existing structure of our program partner.
  • Expectations are made clear to program partners, teaching artists, and young people.  A strong emphasis is placed on clear, ongoing communications that allow for learning, exploration, and a successful experience for all participants.
  • Ongoing assessment allows ATG to be a learning organization and provides a framework to hear student voices and respond to their needs and interests. At the beginning and end of each cycle students participate in a group interview conducted by a trained evaluator. This process provides written documentation as well as the framework for ongoing feedback between students and the teaching artist.
  • Arts to Grow classes offer students opportunities to reflect on their artistic process and to critique their work and the work of their peers.
  • Culminating events are an integral part of each class. We want young people to gain the benefits of sharing their accomplishments with the community at large. Each class concludes with a public performance or gallery exhibit highlighting completed student work and a reflection on the creative process.