Washington State Teaching Artist Training Lab
Applications for the 2018-2019 program is open. Application deadline is July 18, 2018. Early Bird Deadline: Monday, June 11, 2018. Click here to request information on the 2018-2019 application process.
The Washington State Teaching Artist Training (TAT) Lab is a seven-month professional development program with a focus on supporting arts education as part of basic education in K-12 schools. Participants benefit from ongoing learning over seven months, individualized coaching from master Teaching Artists, connections to state and national organizations, and peer learning and reflection. The TAT Lab cohort will include up to 32 Teaching Artists, working in all artistic disciplines and all regions of Washington State. Click here to download the full Tat Lab Program Description.
The program runs September - March. Participant responsibilities include:
- Attendance at 3 in-person trainings lasting 2-3 days and taking place in Seattle
- Participation in monthly teleconferences for small group learning
- Complete readings and assignments following given deadlines
- Teach at least one workshop or residency between December and February.
Attendance at all in-person sessions and teleconferences is mandatory.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
TAT Lab is based on the philosophy that reflective practice and thoughtful planning are essential to effective educational experiences, and a key building block for partnering with schools and classroom teachers. TAT Lab defines teaching artists as individuals who are both artists and educators: they are professional artists who are dedicated to arts education as an integral part of their professional practice; they cultivate skills as educators in concert with their skills as artists.
TAT Lab focuses on arts education in K-12 public schools. Working to ensure all students receive high quality arts education as part of basic education, with teaching artists playing a significant role, is core to the program philosophy. TAT Lab participants also work outside of K-12 schools; there is no one way to be a teaching artist. TAT Lab curriculum covers foundational concepts that support good teaching practice in a wide range of settings.
TAT LAB CURRICULUM
TAT Lab curriculum is informed by four key questions:
- What unique qualities do teaching artists bring to a classroom?
- What are "reflective practice" and "thoughtful planning" and why are they important?
- How can we teach arts skills along with higher order thinking skills and habits of mind?
- How do we create safe, inclusive and effective learning environments for all students?
With these questions in mind, the TAT Lab will address both philosophical and nuts-and-bolts aspects of teaching artist practice, with a focus on instructional design: developing and articulating clear arts learning objectives and assessment strategies.
Join the Lab to:
- Learn about best practices in arts education through in-person workshops, reading assignments and discussion
- Develop strong and effective learning plans
- Receive ongoing, individualized support from teaching artist mentors and peers
- Learn how to collaborate with K-12 teachers and use state standards to support your work
- Connect with a community of dedicated teaching artists
- Gain skills to assess student learning in the arts
- Understand the role of social justice within the world of arts education
- Engage with 21st Century Skills and Habits of Mind
PROGRAM HISTORY & PARTNERS
We are grateful to the organizations that jointly created the original version of the TAT Lab in 2005: Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Shakespeare Theatre Company in D.C., and the Seattle Repertory Theatre. We are especially grateful to the Seattle Rep for their role in evolving the model to serve all artistic disciplines, and partnering with the Washington State Arts Commission to develop the current statewide program, which was launched in 2011. After three successful years and 100 graduates, Seattle Children’s Theatre became the hosting partner in 2014, joining other founding partners: the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Book-It Repertory Theatre, and Arts Corps. Current faculty bios are available here.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications for the 2018-2019 program are now open!
QUESTIONS?
Please contact the Education Specalist at tatlab@sct.org SCT or Lisa Jaret at the Washington State Arts Commission with any questions about the TAT Lab program or application process.
“The depth of planning and hours to make this a purposeful and quality training was amazing. I cannot say enough about how this will change my arts education practice.” –TAT Lab graduate, 2013
Quick Links
SCHEDULE & PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
Participants must attend all of the in-person sessions, which will be held in Seattle. The dates for the 2018-19 cohort are as follows.
September 2018
Thursday, September 20, 3-7pm
Friday, September 21, 9am-5pm
Saturday, September 22, 9am-3pm
November 2018
Friday, November 2, 9am-5pm
Saturday, November 3, 9am-3pm
March 2019
Thursday, March 14, 3-7pm
Friday, March 15, 9am-5pm
Saturday, March 16, 9am-3pm
In addition to attending these in-person sessions, participants will be assigned to a smaller group for monthly 90-minute teleconferences facilitated by a teaching artist mentor. There will be readings assigned as preparation for both in-person and teleconference sessions, and all participants will be required to develop a written learning plan, and implement it in a K-12 classroom during the winter/spring of 2019.
Read the full Tat Lab Program Description here.