Becoming a Teaching Artist

Urban Arts began as a platform to bring New York City arts professionals into underserved classrooms. Since 2003, the High School for Environmental Studies has nurtured professional actors, choreographers, photographers, and singers into becoming teaching artists by giving them critical experience working with high school students. We are expanding our Teaching Artist Internship and will now be placing teaching artists in a high school in Brooklyn as well as HSES.

Arts professionals interested in becoming a part of the Statement Arts Teaching Artists Internship will receive valuable experience working with high school students within the NYC District of Education.

What Do I Need to Know to Become a Teaching Artist?

1. Understand your art form
2. Understand the classroom environment; pedagogy, human development;
3. Understand the collaborative process; working in an educational environment.

How to become a Teaching Artist with Statement Arts?

1. Name and experience/ background- what subjects/areas would you be comfortable teaching?
2. Statement of Intent- why do you want to become a teaching artist?
3. Your schedule- when would you be available?
4. Your teaching experience.

If you do not have teaching experience, working as an intern will also help you gain experience and understanding of working as an artist in education.

Volunteerism and internships are great ways to try it out and see if you really want to work as a Teaching Artist.