Teaching Artists and Educational Performers
Arts Teach is currently accepting applications from talented Teaching Artists and Educational Performers across the disciplines of cultural arts, dance, music, theater, and visual arts to join our artist roster as freelance independent contractors.
The Center's education programs are designed to engage and inspire people of all ages—particularly young people—while increasing access to the arts as part of a well-rounded and equitable education. Arts Teach is one of the nation’s preeminent and most robust rosters of Teaching Artists, providing the highest-quality arts assemblies, workshops, and residencies that celebrate cultural diversity, make connections to core curriculum, and aid students in the development of 21st century skills. By presenting programs at affordable rates to schools and community organizations throughout Orange County and Southern California, it is our ambition to serve every corner of our community. As we strive to excel in all avenues of arts education, our partnerships with local teaching artists make such excellence possible.
Arts Teach works primarily in Orange County schools, and occasionally in schools from parts of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. These are elementary schools that:
- may identify as Title 1
- typically don't have a full time arts teacher dedicated to their site OR are hoping to bring a different type of art than what is already provided
- are looking to supplement their students' educations with cross-curricular connections via the arts
- book our artists during school hours, and occasionally in afterschool programs
Artists on our roster are empowered to present the program(s) of their choosing*, demonstrating their expertise of their unique art form or culture!
*All programs must be auditioned and approved by Arts Teach and must be presented as is during bookings.
IF YOU...
- are a working artist with expertise in a particular discipline of the arts
- have experience teaching elementary-level students and working with school teachers and/or administrators
- have a passion for equitable education and helping young students develop an appreciation for the arts
- are familiar with California Arts Standards, Common Core State Standards, and the Arts Education Framework, and understand how to integrate those standards into your program offerings
- are flexible and willing to adapt your program(s) to the unique needs of varying schools and student populations
- have your own residency or assembly program prepared or in development
...then we invite you to read on and apply!
ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS
RESIDENCIES: A residency is an immersive experience exploring an art form over the course of several weeks. With multiple hands-on sessions taught by a Teaching Artist, the length and number of classrooms served can be customized to fit a school's specific goals and budget.
If designing a residency program to present through Arts Teach, we encourage you to think about...
- the main takeaways students will learn hands-on from your lessons
- focusing on process over product and how to build upon learnings week after week with a larger theme or throughline
- how grade-level appropriate and relevant school curriculum can be integrated into and reinforced by your art form
- how you can make the program accessible to audiences from all walks of life, with various needs/learning styles, and of all abilities
- what makes your program new or unique to our roster
- lesson plans for a 6-8 week residency
ASSEMBLIES: An assembly is a large group/full school experience featuring a live 45-50 minute educational performance.
If designing an assembly program to present through Arts Teach, we encourage you to think about...
- the overall message that you want students and teachers to walk away with after experiencing your performance
- how you can make the performance engaging, interactive, educational, and fun while maintaining a high level of artistry and professionalism
- how the speaking components of your assembly can complement and enhance what students may be learning in the classroom
- how you can make the program accessible to audiences from all walks of life, with various needs/learning styles, and of all abilities
- what makes your program new or unique to our roster
- an outline for a 45-50 minute performance
HOW TO APPLY
TO BE A RESIDENCY TEACHING ARTIST: Please send a current resume and sample lesson plan to artsteach@scfta.org.
The sample can be in the form of a written outline for a 6-8 week residency AND/OR a link to a video clip of you teaching or describing your lesson plan. Use the email subject line "RESIDENCY ARTIST APPLICATION."
TO BE AN ASSEMBLY EDUCATIONAL PERFORMER: Please send a current resume and sample performance outline to artsteach@scfta.org.
The sample can be in the form of a written outline AND/OR a link to a video clip of you performing your program. Use the email subject line "ASSEMBLY ARTIST APPLICATION."
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and present standards-based educational arts residencies to elementary-level students that synthesize and stimulate creative practices.
- Present arts and cultural programs in an authentic manner and have a thorough knowledge of their history, background, and context.
- Address the learning needs of diverse student populations.
- Represent Segerstrom Center for the Arts in a positive and professional manner; work collaboratively with Arts Teach staff and amongst multiple school community stakeholders, including classroom teachers, parents, administration, and donors.
SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge, expertise, and passion for an art form.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a school environment and with various school community constituents.
- Possess strong English communication and interpersonal skills.
- Exhibit a warm, respectful, and trustworthy rapport with students, teachers, and/or audiences.
- Availability during school hours with advance notice and flexibility in scheduling.
- Adaptable to a wide range of teaching conditions.
- Reliable and consistent means of communication and transportation.
- Pass a federal-level background check via live scan fingerprinting.
- Must be able to routinely lift, push, pull, or carry art supplies, equipment, instruments, and classroom furniture weighing up to 40lbs. Must also bend, twist, reach, stand, and/or sit for long periods of time.
- Two years of experience performing and/or teaching in a public school environment (preferred).
- Experience with English Language Learners and students with special needs (preferred).
HOURS/COMPENSATION
These positions are contracted/freelance and work of any frequency is not guaranteed. Time commitment is based on school request/need as well as program type (residency or assembly). Compensation to be determined. Questions may be directed to artsteach@scfta.org.