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FOR ARTISTS

getting started

AIE Artist Roster Application Process

AIE artists are selected through a rigorous peer panel review process administered by the NJSCA. They are evaluated for both the quality of their art work and their ability to create lively, substantial and sequential arts programs in collaboration with teachers in educational settings.

Music Residency at Woodrow Wilson School, Union City

Application requirements include:

• Portfolio work samples (slides, manuscripts, DVD, CD-ROM) along with narratives about professional artistic experience and credentials.
• Teaching philosophy, a residency plan and experience working with students, noting age/grade experience or preference.
• Letters of recommendation.

Professional practicing artists who wish to learn more about becoming eligible to conduct AIE residencies should refer to the current guidelines available online.

NOTE: There are other requirements for artists who apply as part of ensembles or companies; refer to the current guidelines for details.

Steps for Completing an Artist Application

• Attend one of the free Technical Assistance (TA) workshops provided annually by the AIE Consortium to assist artists in the application process.
• Contact AIE Consortium with any questions by phone or e-mail.
• Familiarize yourself with the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards in the Visual and Performing Arts and Language Arts and Literacy.
• Seek out professional development opportunities offered through the New Jersey Arts Education Collective (NJAEC) – a growing network of NJ arts organizations and agencies that share resources and professional development for teaching artists and arts administrators at www.njaec.org.
• Complete application; have friend/colleague review for content, clarity, grammar, and edits.
• Finalize edits and submit application as directed by the postmark deadline.
• Await notification by mail as outlined in AIE Guidelines and Application.

AIE Artist Training

Once accepted as an AIE roster artist, your application/resume package will be sent to AIE Consortium Partners and you will be notified about AIE Orientation and Training. An AIE Orientation for new AIE roster artists is held along with an annual multi-day AIE Training for all AIE artists. New AIE roster artists are expected to attend the AIE Orientation and Training in preparation for conducting residencies.

NOTE: In any given year, there is no guarantee of residency work, as the demand is based on school grants and disciplines selected.

AIE New Artist Mentorship

You will be partnered with an experienced AIE teaching artist who will mentor you through your first residency. The AIE Consortium makes and informs all participants of the arrangements. Your Mentor will contact you to set dates to visit and observe you during a few days over the course of the residency. Your Mentor will have 3 days to work with you, but in most cases, an informal mentorship continues by phone or e-mail. Your Mentor will provide a report, copies of which will be shared with you, the AIE Consortium and the AIE Partner. This report is designed to provide constructive suggestions and observations that will guide you in your professional development and ideas for future residencies.

Preparing for the Interview

When a residency opportunity arises that matches your arts discipline and resume experience, an AIE Partner will call you to set up a school interview. You will receive a copy of the school’s residency proposal in preparation for the interview. Please note that artist candidates are not compensated for the interview time. School Steering Committee members including the On-Site Coordinator and administrator, along with teachers and/or community members and the AIE Partner, conduct the interview.

Bring copies of your resume and/or CV, along with any brochures, fliers or a portfolio of materials that highlight your artistic work as well as prior experience working with students. You may wish to organize and bring a laptop for a slide show, PowerPoint or website presentation of your work. Be prepared to relate your skills and experience to your ideas and vision for carrying out the specific residency proposal.

To be an effective teaching artist you must not only be able to create in the art form, but communicate the ideas, techniques and skills involved in that creation. It is very important that you review the school’s residency proposal to prepare for the interview. Think about the related student learning, how to guide them in the art making and how you will know if your work is effective. The interviewers may ask about specific activities, goals and assessment; be prepared (with notes, if that helps you) to talk in detail about these topics.

Include items such as sample lesson plans, rubrics and references to state or national core curriculum content standards that will signal that you are familiar with traditional forms of school curriculum planning and evaluation tools.

Theatre Residency at Stafford Township
Intermediate School, Manahawkin

Think about questions you may have for the site administrators and teachers: what they hope to achieve by having a Residency Artist; how the residency fits their overall vision for arts education; what is the prior student and staff experience with the arts. The most effective interviews are conversations in which the teaching artist and site personnel learn enough about one another to determine that they will make a successful match.

Tips:

• Be on time! Get driving, parking, check-in procedure and meeting room location information in advance.
• Give yourself extra time especially if you are driving to a new area.
• Bring contact numbers for the school and your AIE Partner with you and call if you are delayed.
• Ask to see space for residency sessions and area designated for the culminating event such as display area, theatre or performance space.
• Follow-up promptly by providing any additional information requested.
• Thank the administrator/site coordinator for the interview opportunity.
• When contacted by the AIE Partner with the interview decision, ask them for any helpful feedback and insight for future interviews and in delivering the residency if selected.

Congratulations! You Have A Residency!

For Artists:
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