TEACHING ARTIST ADVISORY BOARD (TAAB)

It is an understatement to say that ArtsConnection relies on the expertise of our roster of teaching artists who work most directly with students across the city. In 2020, at the beginning of COVID-19, ArtsConnection created a Think Tank comprised of artists to address the educational challenges posed by the pandemic. In 2021, artists joined the C-IDEA (Care, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) committee, and by 2022, it was clear that this group needed to continue its work, and so it was formalized into what is the TAAB. 

Since September 2022, the 11-member board has advised ArtsConnection practices as part of the C-IDEA committee and the Teaching Artist Initiatives Committee; they researched, learned, and outlined plans for a Liberated Learning Curricular Framework; and held 4 Teaching Artist & Staff community events.

Upcoming efforts include ensuring that ArtsConnection increasingly reflects the communities we serve regarding demographics such as race, gender, and disability; expanding practices for intentionally building classroom community in collaboration with young people; and providing training for staff on topics related to gender, sexual orientation, and disability.

Photo: Amparo Chigui Santiago, Angel Thompson, Carlos Martinez, Dani Criss, Ed Woodham, Erin K. Orr, Jojo Gonzalez, Omar Perez, Rima Fand, Tiffany Barrett, and Truth Future Bachman.