← Back to All Resources

Creative Learning Initiative Logo

Artist Resources

Our Community Arts Partners enrich everyday learning by fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Arts Partners provide access to arts experiences for all students through field trips, residencies, assemblies, or afterschool programming. Learn more about the support MINDPOP provides artists and arts organizations.

Programs and Resources

  • MINDPOP holds Quarterly Arts Partner meetings for community arts providers and teaching artists working with Austin's youth. This is a space to discuss and tackle the most relevant issues in our field.

  • A directory of current Community Arts Partners and their programs.

    https://mindpopmatchmaker.org/

  • The Emerging Teaching Artist Fellowship (ETA) is a jobs-training program for artists from traditionally under-represented communities who are interested in teaching their artform in schools and the community.

    ETA uses hands-on, experiential learning, group work, readings, and discussions with community representatives of the arts to provide basic skills in culturally relevant/responsive pedagogy, curriculum development, classroom management, and career development. Each fellow is paired with a professional teaching artist from the Austin community to support their growth throughout the program and their continuing career goals. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a small stipend and ongoing career support.

    Artists of all disciplines welcome. No previous teaching experience required.

    Interested in learning more? Email Meg Greene, Director of Convenings and Collaborations

  • Flashdrive is MINDPOP’s professional development series for arts providers.

    In order to strengthen the impact of creative learning in our classrooms and communities, MINDPOP works with artists and arts organizations to identify needs, gaps, and interests in the Teaching Artist field, then curates and organizes learning opportunities for the community.

    Flashdrive focuses on six areas of learning and development:

    1. In the Classroom: These sessions focus on topics directly related to teaching. Subjects include (but aren’t limited to): Lesson Planning; Working effectively with young people in the classroom; Skill Building; Learning Environments.

    2. The Business of Being a Teaching Artist: Everything you need to know about working as a professional Teaching Artist: Financial Information, Marketing; Business Plans; Networking; Finding Funding and Employment Opportunities; Self-Care; Work/Life Balance.

    3. Professional Perspectives: Discussions with leaders from various areas, including AISD and national organizations.

    4. Diving Deeper—Theory, Development, and Reflection: These sessions will focus on Educational Theory; Youth Development; and Reflective Practices.

    5. Collective Impact: Collaborations, conversations, and events examining and furthering the impact of partnerships among MINDPOP educators, arts providers, funding bodies, and the city.

    6. Arts Lab: Artist-led creative workshops for Arts Providers to find inspiration, replenish creative juices, try new art forms, and build community.

  • Supported by the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, MINDPOP’s Distinguished Speaker Series presents national and international leaders and thinkers on a variety of topics related to arts-based learning, equity in education, and creativity.

FAQs

  • Community Arts Partners are the teaching artists and arts organizations who provide arts-based learning opportunities to young people in and out of school time.

    Their work spans all arts disciplines and an endless variety of educational approaches. Some arts partners work in AISD schools, but there are many working in other contexts as well.

    Are you teaching an art form to kids? Using arts-based learning in your youth development work? Training the teachers and artists who will become the next generation of arts providers?

    If yes, sign up to become a Community Arts Partner of the Creative Learning Initiative.

  • To work in AISD schools, we suggest you start by connecting with MINDPOP.

    1. Add your program information to MINDPOPMatchmaker.org

    2. Contact Meg Greene, Director of Convenings and Collaborations

    3. Sign up for MINDPOP’s newsletter! It will keep you informed about district networking opportunities and important deadlines such as AISD’s approved vendor application.

  • Yes! Visit MINDPOPMatchmaker.org and search a database of Austin area arts education providers. This site is designed to facilitate strong arts partnerships in Austin ISD and beyond.

Join and Explore Our Community!

Sign up for MINDPOP’s newsletter to get up-to-date info on all events and resources. You can also add your program information to MINDPOPMatchmaker.org

Questions for MINDPOP? Contact Meg Greene, MINDPOP’s Director of Convenings and Collaborations