Without artists working in schools alongside teachers of the arts there would be no arts in education movement.
Eric Booth, America’s most prominent teaching artist and influential advocator of arts education defines the teaching artist
“A teaching artist is a practicing professional artist with the complementary skills, curiosities and sensibilities of an educator, who can effectively engage a wide range of people in learning experiences in, through, and about the arts.”
Artists working in schools have an opportunity to work with students and facilitate the expression of their ideas, identity and creativity. When working in schools, artists can contribute not only their expertise in their chosen art form, but their personal skills and qualities as a responsible mentor.
Teaching artists decide to work in a school environment for a variety of reasons. Many artists find it liberating to work with an audience that has an original and unselfconscious way of looking at their work.
For many teaching artists, developing a body of experience as artists working in schools is also part of diversifying their employment opportunities and building their career sustainability as practising professionals.
Western Australia has a wealth of teaching artists working across the state.
Here are some success stories:
Further reading:
Article: You Can Do But Can You Teach? ArtsHub Australia