National Teaching Artist Credential

About the TAC Initiative

Young Audiences Arts for Learning’s National Teaching Artist Credential (TAC) articulates what effective, high-quality teaching artistry looks like in K-12 school-based residencies, and formally endorses exceptional teaching artists who embody excellence in four competency areas: Preparation, Artistry, Planning, and instruction.

This nationally recognized credential validates teaching artistry as a field and advances arts-in-education by providing quality assurance for schools, promoting collaboration between classroom teachers and teaching artists, and above all, ensuring successful learning outcomes for students.

Who Are Credentialed Teaching Artists (CTAs?)

​CTAs are seasoned professional Teaching Artists, likely with at least 5 to 10 years of experience and proven skill in implementing school-based residencies. Committed to the ongoing development of their teaching practice, CTAs seek professional learning opportunities in their art form and around topics that are important to the educational field, staying current so as to better serve all students equitably.  CTAs support, serve, and advocate for their arts and educational communities, lifting up, above all, the right of all students to have access to high-quality arts education regardless of geography or background. Meet Our Credentialed Teaching Artists >>

The TAC application for 2024 is now closed. Stay tuned for updates.

> Eligibility: YA Network Teaching artists who have significant experience implementing school-based residency programs are invited to apply

> Cost: Free! There is no application fee

> Timeline: 
 Submission Deadline - July 1, 2024
 Recipients Announced - Fall 2024

2024 Application Requirements

Teaching artists are asked to submit a resume and provide the following information and materials, which speak to their proficiency in four competencies of teaching artistry, as outlined below. A detailed rubric, technical specifications, and applicant resources will be provided within the application portal on Learn.YA.org.

> Background Information

• Resume - outlines both artistic and teaching experience
• Biography and/or Website - optional

> Competency: Preparation

• Recommendation Forms (two) - to be completed by colleagues who know you and your work and who have seen you in action, such as classroom teachers, school administrators, or program staff at your affiliate.
• Complete Equity & Inclusion Form - answer questions illustrating how you prepare for the work you do through a commitment to equity, inclusion, and partnership.

> Competency: Artistry

• Complete Artistry Form - respond to questions regarding your own artistry and its intersection with your work as an educator.

> Competency: Planning

• Submit a Residency Plan - provide a plan outlining an entire school-based residency program. This plan should align with the Video submitted as part of the Instruction Competency.

> Competency: Instruction

• Submit a Lesson Video - provide a video demonstrating your skill in instruction.

Benefits of the Credential

Benefits for Teaching Artists

Credentialed Teaching Artists are leaders in the field of Teaching Artistry and have supported decision-making as it pertains to the Credential and the advancement of our work around the nation. We have found that being in community with one another supports our personal growth and advances the quality of our teaching practices in educational spaces.

1. Recognition as a leading Teaching Artist within your affiliate
2. National visibility and recognition of your work via the YA National website
3. Free professional learning around many topics relevant to the field with other Teaching Artists at your level of expertise
4. Opportunities to design and deliver professional learning for other Teaching Artists across the country
5. Membership in a community of Teaching Artists around the country for networking, sharing resources, and support
6. Engagement in a national conversation around diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to high-quality arts education for all students around the country
7. Invitation to the YA National Conference (first year's expenses paid: in subsequent years, fees associated with attendance to be assessed at the affiliate and National level)
8. Ongoing participation in defining excellence in the field of teaching artistry
9. The opportunity to assemble, with support if desired, a comprehensive portfolio of your work that reflects on your accomplishments to date, and contains evidence that can be reused for many purposes

Benefits for YA Affiliates

Credentialed Teaching Artists are considered some of the most highly qualified practitioners in the field of Teaching Artistry. They have spent over 5 years+ teaching in educational institutions and increasing the integrity of their teaching practice. They have done this by staying abreast of current trends in the field of education, their art form, and arts integration. They have attended and continue to attend conferences and professional development focused on the art of teaching and best practices when working with children of all backgrounds. They believe in a growth mindset and are committed to learning from their peers, as well as sharing and uplifting one another in an effort to increase the quality of instruction that children receive.

1. CTAs can support new program initiatives (assist with program ideation, creation, and delivery)
2. CTAs can support and mentor other Teaching Artists at your affiliate to aid in the increased advancement of teaching and learning practices
3. CTAs can create and deliver network-wide professional learning opportunities, which your affiliate’s whole roster of teaching artists can benefit from
4. The CTA program offers affiliates cohesion of national best practices in educational spaces
5. The CTA program offers an opportunity for affiliates to stay further connected to one another
6. When Teaching Artists have the opportunity to directly connect with peers around the nation, it builds and nurtures the field of teaching artistry

Benefits for Schools 

Credentialed Teaching Artists are considered some of the most highly qualified practitioners in the field of Teaching Artistry. They have spent over 5 years+ teaching in educational institutions and increasing the integrity of their teaching practice. They have done this by staying abreast of current trends in the field of education, their art form, and arts integration. They have attended and continue to attend conferences and professional development focused on the art of teaching and best practices when working with children of all backgrounds. They believe in a growth mindset and are committed to learning from their peers, as well as sharing and uplifting one another in an effort to increase the quality of instruction that children receive.

1. CTAs will create, design, and implement high-quality programming for your students
2. CTAs are your biggest advocates of arts-based learning, which offers a holistic approach to advancing student knowledge of the curriculum
3. CTAs stay abreast of current trends in education and child development and are ready to support your curriculum standards, goals, and objectives for students 

• Download Benefits of the Credential Guide  >>

Complete List of Young Audiences Nationally Credentialed Teaching Artists 2018-Present

Questions?

If you have questions about the program or application process, please contact Melissa Gawlowski Pratt, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Network Relations, at melissa@ya.org. 

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