Teaching Artist Application
Share Your Creativity with Young People
Being a Teaching Artist isn’t about being a traditional teacher, it’s about sharing your artistic talents to inspire students.
As an AcA Teaching Artist, you make a lasting impact by introducing young people to your art form and showing them the lifelong value of creativity, self-expression, and artistic work.
AcA’s Teaching Artist Program gives public school students access to a wide range of arts experiences in their classrooms. In partnership with public school systems, AcA places local artists directly into classrooms to lead arts sessions designed and led by AcA Teaching Artists.
Current Parishes: Lafayette, Iberia, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion
What is a Teaching Artist?
Teaching Artists are “artist-educators”: practicing artists with the skills to engage students in meaningful arts learning. We believe teaching artistry is vital to arts education and lifelong learning.
Nationally recognized teaching artist and author, Eric Booth, defines the role as:
“A teaching artist is a practicing professional artist with the complementary skills and sensibilities of an educator, who engages people in learning experiences in, through and about the arts.”
AcA’s Teaching Artist Roster includes local, practicing artists from all disciplines, including dance, literary arts, media arts, music, storytelling, theatre, visual arts, and folk/traditional arts. Our Teaching Artists are passionate about sharing their creative practices across generations.
Once accepted into the roster, Teaching Artists are eligible to work in a variety of AcA’s arts-in-education programs.
Teaching Artist Program FAQ
Do I have to be a teacher to become a “teaching” artist?
No, you don’t! AcA will provide training, resources and support to get you ready to walk into a classroom.
What if I have another day job? How flexible is it?
Most of our programs are quite flexible. Though you do need to be available during school hours (between 7:30 and 3:00, you typically have the flexibility to choose the days and times for your sessions.
Do I have to provide the supplies?
AcA provides all of the supplies and materials for the sessions.
How long are the sessions? How often can I expect to have sessions?
Sessions are 45 minutes long and usually booked in sets of three. They aren’t regular—some weeks you might have several, then none for months. Schools request them as needed, and availability varies. Being open to other parishes can increase your opportunities.
I don’t know what I’m going to do in my session. Can I have help with creating those?
Yes! AcA staff are here to help you develop your idea and create a written description for it. We can advise about timing, pacing, materials, and more. And coaching is free!
I don’t want to work with little kids! Can I choose my audience?
AcA’s Arts in Education programs work with grades preK–12th grade. You can choose the grade levels that are most appropriate for your sessions (and your preferences).
I don’t know if it is for me. How can I figure it out?
Not ready to commit? No problem. Come along to observe some Teaching Artist sessions and learn more about if this program is right for you!
How much would I get paid for this?
For three 45-minute sessions, teaching artists are paid $120.00 + roundtrip mileage from your home to the school.
What art forms are eligible to work in this program?
Visual Art, Dance/Creative Movement, Theatre, Spoken Word, Music, Creative Writing, Folk Arts, and more
Teaching Artist Application
Before beginning your application, please read through all the information that you will be asked to provide. Plan to complete this application in one sitting. It may take you about 1-2 hours to complete. You will also be asked for a reference, who will complete their reference in the form further down this page. If you have any questions, please contact catherine@acadianacenterforthearts.org.
Teaching Artist Reference Form
Aspiring Teaching Artists, please direct your reference to this form.
Before beginning this reference form, please read through all the information that you will be asked to provide. Plan to complete this application in one sitting. It may take you about 30-45 minutes to complete. If you have any questions, please contact catherine@acadianacenterforthearts.org.