Our Arts in Education Artist Roster is open and accepting new applications! The deadline to apply is June 17.

If you have been thinking about becoming a teaching artist with the opportunity to teach in academic settings and join a network of artists committed to making an impact through creative and inspirational teaching experiences, then this is your chance.

Here are the top five advantages of joining the roster:

1. Paid Teaching Opportunities Year-Round

The Arts in Education Artist Roster allows schools, churches, nonprofit organizations, libraries and other tax-exempt entities to hire YOU for participation in our agency’s grant-funded programs. Our Arts in Education (AIE) grants fund a variety of arts programs and residencies that teaching artists on our listing can be a part of. Rostered artists are chosen based on their special skillsets to work with students and teachers alike during the school year and even in the summer. Long-term and short-term grant programming opportunities include:

• Arts Curriculum Project Grants
• Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants
• Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants
• Veterans’ Projects Mini-Grants
• In-School Residency Program Grants
• After-School/Summer Residency Grants

Arkansas poet and professional writer Clayton Scott, who has been on the Arts in Education Artist Roster since 2000, provided remarks about his experience as a rostered artist

“It’s hard to believe, but I have been on the Arts in Education roster for 25 years. I developed a creative writing program specifically for schools. I was born to teach. My gifts, aptitudes and life experiences naturally lend themselves to it. Thanks to AIE, I’ve had the chance to work in schools across the state. I’ve taught over 170,000 students who’ve collectively written nearly a half a million poems. AIE offered the perfect pathway to bring {my} program into classrooms across Arkansas.”

-Clayton Scott, AIE teaching artist since 2000

2. Promote Your Artistry Online

Rostered artists are featured on our online searchable database, so schools and various organizations can easily find you. Our website provides built-in marketing support that artists like you can utilize to expand and boost your work. You will have a personalized featured webpage with content links and information about your programming, providing the visibility and outreach that you desire.

“Aligning with a respected and established organization like Arkansas Arts Council and the Department of Arkansas Heritage increases an artist’s marketability and provides an avenue to truly impact students’ lives.”

-Clayton Scott

3. Revenue Diversification

As a rostered artist, you have the opportunity to generate income from multiple channels. You can teach at schools as an AIE teaching artist while still gaining other modes of income. Maintain your creative freedom while obtaining financial consistency and stability.

4. Connect with HUNDREDS of Diverse Creatives Just Like You

You will join a rich creative community as an artist on our roster, amplifying your opportunities of connecting with other artists with ranging backgrounds, cultures, disciplines and mediums. This newfound interconnection yields a breadth of collaborators and support systems.

“Artists often work independently, which can be both isolating and uncertain. By joining the Arts in Education roster, you become a part of a supportive and purposeful team. It’s meaningful to be a part of something larger than oneself.”

-Clayton Scott

5. Build Long-sustaining Relationships with Schools and Organizations

As an Arts in Education teaching artist, you gain the ability to have well-established programming opportunities with schools and organizations. Once you join the roster, you become a part of a vetted and trusted catalog of artists, and community organizations can appoint you for ongoing paid teaching opportunities.

Our Arts in Education Artist Roster promotes the visibility of teaching artists across Arkansas, but more than that, it’s a powerful tool that encourages vibrant community connection, steady financial opportunities, and the celebration of the arts. Ready to join the roster today? Applications close on June 17!

“Having worked as both a classroom teacher and an Arts in Education artist, I have seen firsthand how transformative arts in education can be. For teachers, it offers mentorship and reaffirms the value of their work. For students, it provides enrichment and inspiration that often goes beyond the everyday classroom experience. The arts spark something unique—imagination, confidence and expression.”

-Clayton Scott

For more information, email [email protected]. To apply, please visit the Roster webpage.