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Artist Resources

Creative skills continue to rise as a critical need for the future workforce. Innovation drives the US economy and global marketplace. Schools must explicitly address how we build these vital skills. The Center for Research on Creativity reports significant advances in the creative development of our students.

MINDPOP Arts Partner Programs

  • 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.

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

  • Creative Connections is run in partnership with Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Museums and Cultural Programs. Held quarterly, this is the go-to event for teaching gigs, grant opportunities and a helping hand navigating some of Austin’s trickier bureaucracies. Each event features representatives from the City of Austin, AISD and much much more.

  • ETA is a partnership between MINDPOP and Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Museums and Cultural Programs. It is a jobs-training program for artists from under-represented communities who are interested in bringing their creativity to bear in the classroom.

    ETA uses creative teaching techniques, readings, and meetups with Austin arts organizations to develop fellows' skill sets in curriculum planning, creative teaching, and working effectively with young people. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a small stipend and be paired with a mentor to help them continue to evolve their practice as teaching artists.

    Applicants for ETA are artists coming from communities which are traditionally underrepresented in the teaching artist profession. Artists of all disciplines welcome. No previous teaching experience required.

  • 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.

Arts Partner FAQs

  • 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 Strategic Arts Partner of the Creative Learning Initiative.

  • To work in AISD schools, we suggest you start by connecting with MINDPOP. These are the things you can do right away:

    1. Add your program information to MINDPOPMatchmaker.org

    2. Take 15 mins to talk with our MINDPOP Program Director Jackson Knowles about your work (Click here to find an appointment time.)

    3. Sign up for MINDPOP’s newsletter! It will keep you abreast of district networking opportunities as well as important deadlines like 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 of Practice!

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? Email Jackson Knowles, MINDPOP’s Program Director