Iowa Teaching Artists Roster

Teaching Artists are a unique combination of working artists and working educators. Artists represented on the Teaching Artists Roster have successfully undergone a panel review process that evaluates their artistic and instructional abilities and achievements. Those selected have proven their success in their professional arts field and arts discipline. They also demonstrate expertise in teaching such as knowledge of organizational systems, trends and philosophy of education, people/classroom management and the ability to educate learners about the creative process. IAC Teaching Artists are able to create programs for teachers (professional development, in-service, co-teaching) and for students in a hands-on participatory way. You can expect IAC Teaching Artists to have the following skills and abilities:

• Provide the highest quality arts learning experience for identified age/ core group; including educating teachers (professional development/in-service) and students (hands-on participatory lessons).
• Collaborate and partner with classroom teachers, school and institution administrators, coordinators and special interest groups.
• Support efforts to integrate arts learning into other content areas.
• Share the importance of arts education and the position of a certified arts educator in the classroom as well as articulating the teaching artists’ role.
• Work with diverse learners in integrated classrooms. Classrooms that incorporate students with special needs, ELL, gifted and talented and at-risk students.
• Actively represent the Iowa Arts Council in schools, classrooms and institutions, and have a working knowledge of current IAC grant programs and opportunities for arts education.
• Be current and up to date about arts education trends in Iowa and nationally.
• Continue seeking professional development opportunities as artists and educators.

Important information: The Iowa Arts Council does not conduct background checks or fingerprint artists on the Teaching Artists Roster. Schools and institutions should use their own normal screening processes. IAC requires that the classroom teacher is present at all times in the classroom when artists are working with students.

Hiring a Teaching Artist: IAC Teaching Artists have proven their professionalism in working with organizations and classrooms. They are experienced in working with teachers to design age-specific residencies, workshops and informances that meet district and national standards. It is up to the teacher or administrator to contact the artists or their agent(s) to determine their availability, fees and expenses. Artists will work with you to plan a residency, project or program that meets your needs and budget. Teaching Artists are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information on their roster page. If you have trouble selecting or contacting a teaching artist, IAC would be happy to assist you.

Artist Selection: You can select Teaching Artists by discipline, location, or view the list alphabetically. The Teaching Artists profile gives specifics on core group, artistic work and background, residency preferences and needs, availability and contact information.

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Major and Mini Grants:

All IAC Major Grant or Mini Grant applications making use of artists must include work samples and support materials in order for reviewers to judge the artistic quality of their work. However, if you are working with an IAC Teaching Artist you do not have to submit work samples. Rostered Teaching Artists are considered to be high quality artists in their Roster-approved arts discipline. Just print off their IAC web page and submit with the other supplemental material.

Teaching Artists End of Year Report Form

Teaching Artists, you are part of a select roster for the Iowa Arts Council. You were approved after completing a thorough application, review, and interview process led by a panel of experts in arts and in arts education programming. The Teaching Artists Roster is not simply a directory of artists; it is a highly selective part of the Arts Education program at IAC.

IAC Arts Education program’s primary purpose for the Teaching Artist Roster is to identify and promote high-quality artists who maintain active careers as teaching and professional artists, with expertise in collaborating with schools and communities in life long learning in and through arts. You are IAC’s partner in classrooms throughout the state of Iowa. Listed below is general information regarding the IAC Teaching Artists Roster program.

IAC Teaching Artists must commit to the following agreement to maintain their status as an IAC Rostered Teaching Artist:

Communicate with the Iowa Arts Council:

• Sign a Memorandum of Understanding when accepted to the roster.
• Update IAC staff and website of changes in contact information.
• Respond in a timely manner (via e-mail or phone) to administrative needs, questions, and deadlines for written materials and documentation.
• Complete and return  the end of the year form

Professional Development:

• Execute at least one residency/workshop of any length in the state of Iowa per year.
• Participate in at least one professional development activity per year either for instruction or specific arts discipline.

Assessment:

• One to three teaching artists will be selected for a residency evaluation each year.
• If selected for a residency evaluation, I will complete a self-evaluation form and will ensure that evaluation forms are distributed to and completed by the residency teacher and students to be returned to the IAC staff.
• I will communicate residency details to the IAC staff in a timely manner to allow for them to evaluate the residency.
• I will arrange a follow up meeting with IAC staff to discuss the evaluation of the residency.
• I will complete and return an IAC end of the year report form (available on-line) at the end of each school year. First one will be due July 1, 2011
• if for any reason an IAC Teaching Artist can not complete requirements in a given year, IAC staff will review individual cases.

Removal Policy: IAC may remove a Teaching Artist from the roster at any time for actions or behavior that could be detrimental to students, teachers, the community and/or the IAC program. This includes inappropriate behavior or language in a school setting, violating school/ organization rules, unlawful activities, or unprofessional conduct including not submitting required materials on time, being late or not showing up for a residency
IAC is committed to providing the following services to you as an IAC Teaching Artist:

• IAC will provide orientation for new and current roster artists to share information on IAC grant programs, review roles and responsibilities of roster partners and provide an overview of the Department of Cultural Affairs.
• IAC will promote teaching artists through the roster website, newsletters and other venues when appropriate.
• IAC will provide support to teaching artists by maintaining a list serve and/or web-based venues to share resources, information and opportunities.
• IAC will host or refer artists to at least one free professional development opportunity for teaching artists each year.
• IAC staff will select one to three teaching artist residencies per year to evaluate. A follow-up meeting will be arranged to discuss outcomes with the selected teaching artist.
• IAC will advocate for IAC Teaching Artists through marketing to schools and communities for residencies and professional development for teachers, in IAC grant development and the development of IAC Teaching Artist trainings.

Thank you for your interest in becoming an IAC Rostered Teaching Artist. IAC knows the importance of the work done by teaching artists in schools and institutions throughout the state. The roster is a resource for teachers and administrators seeking professional teaching artists to provide life-long learning opportunities. The Teaching Artists on the IAC roster have proven to be high quality artists in their disciplines and proven their success in their professional quality and experience in instruction. While IAC will assist in promotion of the rostered Teaching Artists, being on the roster does not guarantee employment. Teaching Artists are encouraged to leverage their position on the roster in their own marketing strategies. As an IAC Teaching Artist, you would be expected to encompass the following skills and abilities:

• Provide the highest quality arts learning experience for identified age/ core group; including educating teachers (professional development/in-service) and students (hands-on participatory lessons).
• Collaborate and partner with classroom teachers, school and institution administrators, coordinators and special interest groups.
• Support efforts to integrate arts learning into other content areas.
• Share the importance of arts education and the position of a certified arts educator in the classroom as well as articulating the teaching artists’ role.
• Work with diverse learners in integrated classrooms. Classrooms that incorporate students with special needs, ell, gifted and talented and at-risk students.
• Actively represent the Iowa Arts Council in schools, classrooms and institutions, and have a working knowledge of current IAC grant programs and opportunities for arts education.
• Be current and up to date know on arts education trends in Iowa and nationally.
• Continue seeking professional development opportunities as artists and educators.

To Apply to be included on the IAC Teaching Artists Roster:

• The annual application deadlines are April 1 and Nov. 1 at 4:30 p.m. This is not a postmark deadline. Applications may be submitted either electronically or via U.S. mail. Submit all required application materials including the application, resume, sample residency plan, letters of support, and additional support materials
• You must attend an audition/interview, at your own expense, on the scheduled date at the State Historical Building in Des Moines. Audition/interview dates are always announced on the IAC web site’s home page “Upcoming Dates and Deadlines” calendar by 1 month prior to the roster application deadline.
• To maintain your roster status you must adhere to the following requirements:

Communicate with the Iowa Arts Council:

• Sign a Memorandum of Understanding when accepted to the roster.
• Update IAC staff and website of changes in contact information.
• Respond in a timely manner (via e-mail or phone) to administrative needs, questions, and deadlines for written materials and documentation.
• Complete and return  the end of the year form

Professional Development:

• Execute at least one residency/workshop of any length in the state of Iowa per year.
• Participate in at least one professional development activity per year either for instruction or specific arts discipline.

Assessment:

• One to three teaching artists will be selected for a residency evaluation each year.
• If selected for a residency evaluation, I will complete a self-evaluation form and will ensure that evaluation forms are distributed to and completed by the residency teacher and students to be returned to the IAC staff.
• I will communicate residency details to the IAC staff in a timely manner to allow for them to evaluate the residency.
• I will arrange a follow up meeting with IAC staff to discuss the evaluation of the residency.
• I will complete and return an IAC end of the year report form (available on-line) at the end of each school year. First one will be due July 1, 2011
• if for any reason an IAC Teaching Artist can not complete requirements in a given year, IAC staff will review individual cases.

Application Process:

Evaluation Process: IAC staff screens applications and supplemental materials received for basic eligibility. Eligible applications are reviewed by an advisory panel comprised of experts in the arts and in arts education programming. Applications and supplemental materials are reviewed by panelists individually and in a group after the audition/interview. Panel recommendations are forwarded to the IAC Executive Director for approval.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Artist is registered on the Iowa Arts Council Artist Directory
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Application is complete. The checklist must be completed and the application package must include all requested information.
• Application is typed and submitted using the forms provided.
• Application was received on time. Applications that are incomplete or delivered after the stated time will not be eligible.
• Applicant does not have a late Final Report for a previously funded IAC grant.

Teaching Artists Guidelines

Teaching Artists Roster Application Form

Teaching Artists Roster Application Checklist

Teaching Artists Roster Sample Lesson Plan

Teaching Artists Overview