Become a Teaching Artist
The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA) has an Arts in Education (AIE) division that provides funding support for arts-based educational programs throughout the Commonwealth. The purpose of the AIE division is to champion the arts as a tool for both personal and community development for all Pennsylvanians by supporting quality programs in schools and community settings. Erie Arts and Culture serves as the regional AIE partner for the counties of Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, Warren, and Lawrence.
Who is a Teaching Artist? Teaching artists come from a variety of backgrounds within a wide array of creative disciplines. Some may have extensive teaching experience, while others may be new to instructional-based learning. Teaching artists:
Exist at the intersection of the arts and education.
Demonstrate a depth of knowledge in their art form.
Are engaged in a sustained creative exploration.
Work in a variety of environments that serve the needs of local communities.
Teaching artists working within a school setting do not serve to replace school-certified arts educators. Instead, they serve as valuable resources and partners to teachers.
Interested in seeing the current roster of teaching artists? Click here!
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Individual artists, artists’ ensembles, or companies may apply.
Artists intending to work in multiple disciplines must demonstrate their qualifications in each discipline.
Preference is given to Pennsylvania residents, although outstanding artists from other states may apply.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
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Applicants are selected for the program based on:
Artistic excellence as demonstrated by samples of the artist’s work, training and experience, resume, and letters of recommendation.
Good communication skills as evidenced by the application, work samples, recommendations, and subsequent interview.
Ability to develop and implement a sequential residency plan with education or community partners.
Ability to present culturally specific arts authentically, if applicable.
Experience, interest, and the ability to work with students, including special needs populations.
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Teaching artists are paid a minimum of $250 a day for school-based residencies and $200 a day for community-based residencies. Artists may negotiate a higher fee with the host site. Ensemble fees are set accordingly.
Mileage will be reimbursed only for residency distances farther than 50 miles one way.
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Artists become rostered through a five-step process that includes:
Step One: Interested artists must complete and submit a teaching artist application, including a 5-day mock residency plan.
Step Two: Erie Arts and Culture reviews the application material.
Step Three: Applicants who meet the qualification criteria are interviewed by EAC's Arts Education Program Officer.
Step Three: If selected, applicants complete training to refine their skills and abilities to lead a residency in both a school and community-based setting.
Step Five: Successful applicants are recommended to the PCA for final review and approval.
Ready to apply? Use the button below to message Program Officer of Arts Education Jim Hain to get the process started.
Ready to apply? Use the button below to email Program Officer of Arts Education Jim Hain to express your interest.
If you have any questions or need more detailed information, please contact Arts Education Program Officer Jim Hain at james@erieartsandculture.org or (814) 452-3427 x 102.
