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Job outlook for teaching artists in the United States
Teaching artist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected teaching artist job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for teaching artists are projected over the next decade.
Teaching artist salaries have increased 2% for teaching artists in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,575 teaching artists currently employed in the United States.
There are 4,493 active teaching artist job openings in the US.
The average teaching artist salary is $66,565.
Are teaching artist jobs in demand?
Teaching artist job and salary trends over time
Teaching artist jobs over time
Teaching artist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,575 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,403 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,543 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,555 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,594 | 0.00% |
Average teaching artist salary over time
Teaching artist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $66,565 | $32.00 | +0.2% |
| 2024 | $66,412 | $31.93 | --0.6% |
| 2023 | $66,823 | $32.13 | +4.5% |
| 2022 | $63,929 | $30.74 | --2.5% |
| 2021 | $65,572 | $31.52 | +5.1% |
Teaching artist jobs by state
Most common states for teaching artists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 15 | 2% |
| 2 | California | 39,536,653 | 371 | 1% |
| 3 | New York | 19,849,399 | 114 | 1% |
| 4 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 98 | 1% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 95 | 1% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 74 | 1% |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 63 | 1% |
| 8 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 55 | 1% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 46 | 1% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 38 | 1% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 36 | 1% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 28 | 1% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 22 | 1% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 21 | 1% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 11 | 1% |
| 16 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 5 | 1% |
| 17 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 4 | 1% |
| 18 | Vermont | 623,657 | 4 | 1% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 4 | 1% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 51 | 0% |
Most common cities for teaching artists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | 1 | 0% | $93,871 |
Teaching Artist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of teaching artist experts
Henry Ford College
School of the Art Institute of Chicag
The University of Tampa
University of Houston – Downtown
The University of Alabama
Eastern Illinois University
California Institute of the Arts
Springfield College
Meredith College
Meredith College
Northern Kentucky University
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Texas Woman's University
University of Puget Sound
Kent State University
Loyola University Chicago
SUNY Buffalo State
University of Rio Grande
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Aquinas College
University of Maine
John Sefel MFA,
Henry Ford College
Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Teaching Artist?
John Sefel MFA,: As with most career fields, contemporary professional U.S. theatres are looking to fix two vital gaps: technology and true inclusion. Anyone heading into any aspect of design or management should be comfortable not only with the latest technology, but with diving in and self-teaching new tech as it comes along. Whether dealing with finding new ways to print fabric, innovations in lighting and projection, or the latest methods of promotion and fundraising, there's an entire leadership generation who often feels lost when dealing with new methods, and who are desperately looking for workers who can understand their vision and translate it to the latest tools. Meanwhile, the theatre industry is finally beginning to recognize how poorly it's approached true inclusion. In everything from lighting, makeup, and hair designers who truly understand the needs of BIPOC performers to Intimacy and Cultural advisors, professional skills in these areas will set job seekers apart from those who simply show up with the same decades-old conservatory training as their competitors.
What Teaching Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
John Sefel MFA,: There's a lot to be said for the old cliche, "it's not what you know, it's who you know." The majority of professional theatre artists are freelancers, and so are ALWAYS looking for their next job. Because of this, earning a reputation as skilled and reliable among people who are often hiring is the quickest path to earning a decent living in theatre, and the tried-and-true path of summer stock or other repertory houses remains a wise bet for the early career theatre artist. It allows you to work with multiple people (including visiting leadership), who can serve as pathways to multiple new theatres and, if you're interested, regions. If you weren't born into theatre royalty, this is a way to build a cohort of early career peers and professional mentors that can far exceed what your university alumni office can ever offer.
What will help Teaching Artists increase their earning potential?
John Sefel MFA,: There are two vital things graduates should do if they plan to move into professional theatre: first, think very seriously about where they want to begin their career. There are professional opportunities all over the U.S., so it's important that - as someone gets onto a ladder, they make sure it's a ladder they'd enjoy climbing. Austin will have fewer opportunities than NYC, but there will also be far less competition. Atlanta theatre may not (yet) have the storied history of Chicago theatre, but it's growing in that direction. There isn't a single "one size fits all" best city or region for theatre - instead, it's about understanding a graduate's eventual goals and pursuing that. No one wants to climb for years, only to find they've been climbing the wrong mountain.
Second, when preparing to move to that area, they should assume that they'll need a "day job" to support their early work, and so should do everything possible (including in choosing their college courses!) to ensure they're employable within their industry. The classic idea of "waiting tables" while auditioning is a path for burnout and giving up. Actors who can work in casting agencies, box offices, and similar positions will find that they continue making theatre contacts even during their "day job," and will find themselves surrounded by people who understand their need to sneak out early for auditions. Designers who can work on overhire crews, in costume shops, or otherwise find themselves in the same room as the designers are going to pay their bills while moving their career forward.
Andrew Falkowski
Graduate Coordinator and Associate ChaiSchool of the Art Institute of Chicag
Department of Painting and Drawing
What soft skills should all Teaching Artists possess?
Andrew Falkowski: The ability to make people comfortable is incredibly helpful. Also, being enthusiastic about what one is teaching is necessary. You shouldn't teach if you aren't interested in sharing your enthusiasm for the material. Compartmentalizing larger ideas into manageable parts helps students assimilate information more easily. Being able to speak authentically about course narratives goes a long way in creating a consistent class engagement. Lastly, being open and curious about what students are bringing to the class creates a more open class environment and can activate students' energy.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Artists?
Andrew Falkowski: Again, skill is a nebulous term, and there isn't one set of skills that apply to all courses, with perhaps the exceptions of being well organized and being a clear and consistent communicator.
Michael Staczar
Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, Chair,Associate Professor, Speech, Theatre and DanceThe University of Tampa
Department of Theatre and Dance
What skills stand out on Teaching Artist resumes?
Michael Staczar: I think that I musical theatre artist's resume has to reflect the range of their abilities - musicianship, training, etc. - so I can see if the individual may be right for production or teaching/leading a workshop or masterclass. I need to see the breadth of the experience.
What soft skills should all Teaching Artists possess?
Michael Staczar: I like to see that they have a broad background of related experience in the performing arts. The credits on a resume show me what they have done, but related experience - such as stage management, technical theater, and so on - show me that they are a well-rounded performing artist.
What skills will help Teaching Artists earn the most?
Michael Staczar: Skills that will help/enhance the work for the producing organization. Besides "performing," what else can you bring to the table (technically, artistically, administratively) that will benefit all involved.
Ayden Adler Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Arts AdministrationUniversity of Houston – Downtown
Department of Arts and Communication
What skills stand out on Teaching Artist resumes?
Ayden Adler Ph.D.: Our program is geared toward securing employment after graduation. Students who graduate with a degree in Fine Arts complete an internship that gives them practical experience and networking opportunities in the local fine arts community. Additionally, students produce a portfolio of professional work to present to potential employers. While their portfolios encompass all areas of fine arts (visual and performing arts), each student is encouraged to concentrate in a specific art form or arts administration and build high-level skills in their concentration of choice.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Artists?
Ayden Adler Ph.D.: At UHD, we have over 200 students currently enrolled in our Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Fine Arts degree who study arts administration, visual art, music, dance, graphic design, and theatre. Our students often focus on one particular art form with personal meaning to them, but they all develop their talents and cultural knowledge through a varied and rigorous schedule of courses, internships, and co-curricular activities. Our faculty includes professional studio artists, practicing musicians, actors, acclaimed historians, and nonprofit arts leaders.
Fine arts majors graduate with an understanding of art, performance, and personal expression. In addition, students acquire strong skills in business, management, research, public speaking, and writing. Graduates who earn a BA in Fine Arts at UHD can describe in detail the historical and stylistic development of each of the fine arts; they can effectively analyze and communicate the significance of humanities and fine arts products and performances, and they can execute the foundational tasks that drive the operations of nonprofit arts institutions. And they can express their ideas through multiple artistic media.
What skills will help Teaching Artists earn the most?
Ayden Adler Ph.D.: Skills developed by our graduates are useful in various real-life jobs, where salaries range from approximately $40K for entry-level positions to high-six-figure salaries for extraordinary artists and top arts administrators. Our students find employment in these and other career paths:
-Education
-Museum curation
-Administration (in all art forms, including symphony orchestras, theatres, performing arts centers, museums, dance companies, etc.)
-Commercial art, including graphic design, gaming, and advertising
-Studio art and live performance
-Art and music therapy
-Media and photography
-Art criticism
-Fashion, interior, and stage design
-Acting, directing, and technical theater
-Music production and composition
Lawrence Jackson
Associate Professor, Dance, Chair, A&S Diversity Committee, President, Alabama Dance Council, A&S Distinguished Teaching Fellow, Associate Chair of the UA Dance programThe University of Alabama
Theatre and Dance Department
What skills stand out on Teaching Artist resumes?
Lawrence Jackson: Dance companies/productions a dancer has performed with, teaching experience, teaching certifications in various styles and techniques, past instructors/mentors/choreographers, and dance education.
Samantha Osborne
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Owner, Samantha Osborne DesignEastern Illinois University
Art + Design
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Artists?
Samantha Osborne: This completely depends on which sector of the graphic design industry you're involved in. Generally speaking, a working knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite is essential, with expertise in other software as it applies to your field. I also find it refreshing and highly effective when designers can begin exploring and developing solutions in an more analog fashion on the front-end of projects, before jumping to the computer. For example, it's easier to visually organize complex ideas via a post-it/mood board wall in which you can physically move ideas around, especially when you're working with a team, which is more common than not.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Teaching Artists?
Alison Bjorkedal: I hope the coronavirus pandemic will have an enduring positive impact on all of us! It is likely that artists of all mediums will find their creating impacted for many years to come both emotionally and practically. As artists, we can immerse in, respond to, and process our environment through our work. We are living in a time of great upset and change; history has shown us that artists have been integral in helping society react to and process tremendous change in the past. What long-term opportunity losses the pandemic might bring I can't predict, but I am excited to experience the innovation that graduates will bring to the field. Practically, live concert events will likely need to continue riding the waves of uncertainty we've experienced this past year. Flexibility in our responses and transforming how musicians reach their audience will continue to be integral for our artistic future.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Teaching Artists?
Harold InDelicato: Aside from the economic consequences, I believe that the job market will actually expand. Many unexpected considerations have arisen in light of the pandemic, creating new markets and new approaches to traditional disciplines. If graduates are looking in the right places, the post-pandemic world may provide many opportunities.
What type of skills will young Teaching Artists need?
Harold InDelicato: In addition to the traditional skills that graduates will need related to their particular fields, it would help to have experience with remote and streaming technologies including software and hardware, social media experience, and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR) skills. All of these skills will benefit new professionals when utilizing remote instructional media and production technologies. I believe the pandemic has caused a rapid shift in the way we work. Many traditional fields have been forced to quickly hybridize in order to compete in the era of the pandemic. Preparedness for the next wave is at the agenda forefront for many corporations and institutions. Graduates should consider how structural systems will eventually replace the stop-gap measures that are currently in place. Whole new economic infrastructures are currently being built around the disaster.
What experience really stands out on Teaching Artist resumes?
Harold InDelicato: In regards to visual arts, practical knowledge in software and graphic design as well as creative and critical thinking skills stand out on a resume. The practical skills help employers to screen applicants but in the field of art and design, employers are typically looking for a deep thinker, someone who can transfer information in a way that is unusual and new. The ability to analyze, imagine, and express multiple viewpoints and perspectives will help young designers to stand out. Designers should be aware that there are many different ways to interpret meaning and that art and design may express multiple opinions, and even diametrically opposing views, in the same communication.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Teaching Artist job market given the pandemic?
Emily Howard: There is a noticeable increase in the number of and usage of online galleries and platforms for
visual artists. Saatchiart.com and Foundwork.art are good examples.
What general advice would you give to a Teaching Artist?
Emily Howard: Reach out to individuals working in the field you want to enter, those who have your "dream
job," and ask what path they took to get where they are and what advice they have for someone
beginning their career. Though no two paths are alike in the art world, forging connections with
those working in your chosen field is invaluable.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Teaching Artist job market given the pandemic?
Holly Fischer: Marketing and using social media to connect virtually. This is especially true for studio majors
that are working as artists and/or working in galleries and museums.
What Teaching Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Holly Fischer: Depending on the career goals, it is always recommended to work with professionals to learn
more about a certain area of the artworld. This could be working in a museum, gallery, and/or for
a professional, working artist as an intern or assistant.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Teaching Artist job market given the pandemic?
Matthew Albritton: I think everyone would agree that 2020 has been a transformational year. What is less clear is how the repercussions will continue to reverberate and just how far and wide the transformation will reach. The visual and performing arts, along with every single industry has had to grapple with new modes of delivery, new solutions to constantly changing problems, and the struggle to remain productive and relevant in the face of unprecedented unknowns.
It does seem clear that every job in nearly every field will not simply go back to the way it was. We have all learned new and effective ways to do business remotely, new and effective ways to find efficiencies, and new and effective ways to do things differently. Some of the trends I believe we will see continue after the pandemic are more opportunities to work remotely, a continuing demand to consume content online, and a growing insistence that these online and remote activities be higher quality.
What skills stand out on Teaching Artist resumes?
Matthew Albritton: With every industry rapidly changing to address the repercussions brought on by the events of 2020, flexibility will be a top requirement to find success in any field. There is an increasing shift in education to coalesce around the four Cs: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. As these soft skills rise to the top of just about any list of job skills that employers are seeking, reliance on specific hard skills has declined in most industries. Resumes with training in the visual and performing arts should highlight not only the acquired skills of artists and performers, but also the more widely applicable skills that are at the heart of the arts including those four Cs mentioned above.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Teaching Artists to find work opportunities?
Matthew Albritton: One of the repercussions of a remote world is that we have all found that we can Zoom-in to meetings and remain effective and productive. In the visual and performing arts, this extends to remote interviews, applications, and even auditions. Instead of driving to another city for an audition, we can now keep our PJ bottoms on and Zoom in from the comfort of our home office or studio (maybe the PJ bottoms aren't such a great idea!). The point is that if we all take advantage of new techniques with new technology, we can broaden the possibilities. Graduates in the visual and performing arts are very well armed with new tools and skill sets to take full advantage of these new possibilities.
Dr. Patrick Bynane Ph.D.
Professor and Director of the TWUTexas Woman's University
Theatre Program
What type of skills will young Teaching Artists need?
Dr. Patrick Bynane Ph.D.: Young grads are going to need to have a big and expansive toolkit of skills. Simply "selling" yourself as a singer or an actor or a director is not going to cut it. Arts organizations are hurting right now due to the inactivity in Congress and the restrictions forced upon us by the pandemic. They are going to have to look at making some very hard decisions and painful cuts. A graduate in the performing arts who can sell him/herself as a multiple threat is going to have an advantage over a single-skill specialist.
Young grads are also going to have to develop a strong entrepreneurial sense of themselves and the corresponding business and communication skills to match that sense. I think we are going to see more and more recent grads really see themselves as their own brand that needs to be marketed, properly budgeted and nurtured. Along those same lines, I think recent grads will have to have a pretty savvy sensibility regarding social media and digital communication; both in how to use it and how not to use it.
What experience really stands out on Teaching Artist resumes?
Dr. Patrick Bynane Ph.D.: This is a really hard question to answer because the entire field of performing arts is so rooted in contract work and the gig economy. That means that every new gig (and new employer) is looking for a specific set of experiences suited to just that job. This makes it very challenging to try and create a resume that will be both specific enough to accurately reflect your own experiences but general enough that you look good for a variety of different positions. Folks in the performing arts often have multiple sets of resumes. There will be one for acting jobs, say. And another for more technically oriented jobs.
And another for educational work. But the thing that really jumps out at me, when I am going through a resume, is whether or not I get a sense of who this person is and what kind of work they like to do. Some resumes are filled with every single thing a person has ever done and I feel myself getting lost in all the entries. Others will try to pad out what they feel to be a thin resume with filler that either feels glib or overly clever. If you have a lot of experience, pare down what you have to what really shows off you and your qualifications for that particular gig. If you are just starting out and you don't have as much as you would like, don't apologize for that. Show what you have clearly and professionally and keep working on getting more experience where you can.
What Teaching Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Wind Woods Ph.D.: Great question. I would recommend learning skills that center around technology and ways to incorporate virtual platforms into theatre productions and audience outreach. Playwrights might want to develop skills in writing for the stage and some form of a virtual theatrical hybrid. Actors, too, might want to train in both stage acting and film acting to make themselves marketable in both or a blend of the two. A silver lining (if there is one) to this pandemic, is it offers a low-stake way for artists to produce new and innovative work on their own: write a play, cast it with actors, and do a virtual reading. Finally, I recommend that students/artists find ways to do internships as dramaturgs and literary managers. These can even be done virtually. If the pandemic keeps productions in the virtual realm for longer than anticipated, scripts will still be written, and developing the skills to evaluate scripts in relation to a company's mission statement and goals will be very valuable.
What general advice would you give to a Teaching Artist?
Wind Woods Ph.D.: Produce your own work, act in or design plays with friends and colleagues that take place online or in other social-distanced venues, and always strive to build your network. The last piece of advice is to keep your mind and options open. There are a lot of opportunities and positions in this career: on stage, backstage, above/under the stage, in the house, in the shop, etc. Also consider opportunities in community outreach, education, and audience development.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Teaching Artists?
Eric Baars: Yes, the resources created to work through the pandemic have affected how we communicate and do business, in every sector. In addition to the virtual office spaces that will continue after the pandemic is over, the need for adequate ventilation and standardized airflow maintenance checks will be addressed in the theatre industry. Makeup artists, costumers, dressers, all will be aware of risks mitigation guidelines for years to come. As we have become even more isolated, intimacy coaching and direction, a relatively new extension of performance training, will be needed, as more and more humans will reenter the personal spaces of others.
What experience really stands out on Teaching Artist resumes?
Eric Baars: The resume reflects your professionalism, so follow the industry standards and focus on clarity over creativity. I look for relationships on a resume. Certainly, working with well-respected people helps. Have you worked with the same artistic team on more than one project? Or have you worked at the same theatre for more than one season? A good resume should establish a pattern of work rather than the individual roles. Everyone will (most likely) have added a Zoom play or two to their resumes this year. Even if these are volunteer opportunities, don't dismiss these, as they are current and demonstrates your commitment to work.
Timothy Kane
Assistant Professor of TheatreLoyola University Chicago
Department of Fine and Performing Arts
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Teaching Artist job market given the pandemic?
Timothy Kane: Adaptability. The ability to continue to grow and expand one's working knowledge is an asset in more conventional times; however, this year has proven that it will be necessary and expected of graduates. Every arts organization has had to scramble to finds way to create and curate content that earns revenue and donations while also responding to the concerns of the current social moment. Relevancy and audience appetite remain moving targets, and organizations need collaborators that can contribute to their institutional elasticity.
Every theatre and arts organization has been struck by revenue loss, staff reductions, audience atrophy, technological limitations, and fundraising shortfalls. When new graduates get interviews and auditions, they will want to demonstrate that they possess skill sets that will help those institutions recover, adapt, and build institutional muscle in those vulnerable areas.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Teaching Artists to find work opportunities?
Timothy Kane: I'm not sure how to forecast an answer for this one. It seems to me that science and public health will dictate which cities' arts organizations begin to bounce back most effectively. Public performance is based on large groups being able to gather safely. Larger cities have more employment opportunities, but they also have higher population density which might mean it takes longer to reach a safer public health threshold.
Until the Covid-19 vaccine has been widely distributed, most employment opportunities will remain remote which means what city a person lives in might not directly correspond to where their employer has a brick-and-mortar presence. Until then, a graduate can choose to lay down roots in the city that corresponds with their long-term ambition or hole-up where it's most economically or personally viable. There is time to pivot toward opportunity when geography and zip codes matter more.
What Teaching Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ann Emo: I think graduates should take advantage of reading everything they possibly can. Know plays, philosophy, social science. Step away from the screen and social media, and be prepared to make your own informed decisions. Do art of any kind to gain an appreciation for things that you do not normally do. This will hone the essential empathy that we know is important in theater.
Kevin Lyles
Professor of ArtUniversity of Rio Grande
Bunce School of Education & Liberal Arts
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Teaching Artists?
Kevin Lyles: Of course there will be an impact on graduates from the coronavirus pandemic, but not all of it will be bad. I think there will definitely be some short-term funding, hiring, or expansion limits in the next few years. Although much of the service industry seems to have more jobs than they can fill, this may not necessarily be the case in the arts. Many small museums will close, perhaps never to open again. Attendance to museums, music venues, and theaters has been severely curtailed and so has their income from ticket sales. But many have stepped up to the plate and made their offerings online, maybe better than they have ever done. This will never go back to normal but will get even more competitive, so those who are prepared to help with this evolution will be needed.
What type of skills will young Teaching Artists need?
Kevin Lyles: Young graduates who are dependable, hard-working problem solvers will always be needed, and especially those that have the technological skills to turn real experiences into virtual, they will have many options. Computer skills are going to help a lot. English literacy in their writing will be mandatory. It has never been a secret that most art jobs are not going to "fall into your lap". But most artists I know have tremendously rewarding careers in the arts, but they didn't get these by waiting for the opportunity to come to them. They got it by being ready, not afraid to take risks, and working hard. Many think those with successful careers got lucky, but it has often been said that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. I think this is especially true in the arts.
What experience really stands out on Teaching Artist resumes?
Kevin Lyles: Just about any related experience where it is obvious a student worked hard helps with resumes. Did the student work twenty hours a week during college to pay the bills? Check on being useful. Did the art student enter and get accepted into more exhibitions than their peers? Check. Useful. Did the person work at a place and then get promoted? Check. Although any job is useful, a job in their professional domain is even better. Did the graduate work in a gallery, design shop, museum, or graphics firm? All efforts help resumes. As careers become longer, less significant things can be dropped off.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Teaching Artists?
Stacie Lents: I don't want to try to predict the future, but what I'd suggest is that while there is every sign that live theater will return - including in new and creative ways - we are also likely to see the lasting impacts of the pandemic on the way we rehearse, market, and distribute theater. A silver lining is that this may improve access. Being able to stream live plays and to provide closed captioning, among other tools, can make theater more accessible to more people and communities and allows the coming together of national and international artists as well. Being able to audition virtually means greater access to talent and fewer barriers to entry for actors, including those just starting out.
What type of skills will young Teaching Artists need?
Stacie Lents: Although signs point to a return for live theater in 2021, I do think that graduates will be well-served to build their skills both in film and in virtual theater spaces. At Fairleigh Dickinson University School of the Arts in the Theater Program, for example, self-taping is just one skill we are focusing on in preparation for auditions of all types; we hear from agents that even once the pandemic has retreated and live theater has returned, knowing how to prepare and present a strong self-tape and virtual audition will be important for theater auditions, as well as for film. The good news is that as the industry bounces back, virtual platforms may make auditions accessible for actors - offering a wider pool of talent for directors, producers, and casting directors. It's also important to note that tools for self-taping don't have to be expensive. Ring lights and portable green screens can be researched and purchased relatively cheap online, and your college acting professor can help guide you on how to set up on a budget.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Teaching Artists?
Dana Freeman: Our art students are so varied, it's hard to pinpoint typical jobs, and I can't say how the pandemic might change the market or where in the country is best for art-related jobs. Most typical would be graphic design, (which one could do remotely, so no location is better than another) or teaching (and I bet the pandemic may prompt many art students to get their MFA now, instead of waiting). I can say our art students are resilient, creative thinkers in general, so they may be more able to pivot toward the "new normal" and envision what doesn't even exist right now.
What experience really stands out on Teaching Artist resumes?
Dana Freeman: For resumes, I think substantial internships, and one that addresses the pandemic, wouldn't hurt (e.g., my daughter interned for a big yearly arts fair and figured out how to do it virtually). Otherwise, great references, and specifically for artists, great portfolios are essential. In the absence of a job, improve your portfolio!
What Teaching Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Constant Albertson Ph.D.: I would recommend to any undergraduate to work with a non-profit on some community-based service, particularly one related to their area of study. Learning about people, the problems of communities, and social skills in working with people who are different from themselves in important ways. Learning to deal with frustration. Learning collaborative skills. Learning to trust their ability to learn, to be inventive, and to follow through even when things are not going the way they want.
What general advice would you give to a Teaching Artist?
Constant Albertson Ph.D.: Be open to changing your opinions and being out of your comfort zone. Don't hesitate to seek counseling. Do everything to the best of your ability. Ask for help. I think that's the big one. Ask for help - then follow through.