Apply to be a Directory Artist

Artists are the essence of the Arts in Education (AIE) program. Every community has talented professional artists of all disciplines, whose creativity and imagination have the potential to change lives.

Professional artists participating in the AIE program, share their expertise and creativity with small core groups of students in schools, childcare centers, and community and senior centers as well as other non-profit organizations. The artists work on projects of varying scopes, called residencies, taking on the roll of mentor, facilitator and technical adviser.

The Arts Council of Erie implements and oversees the AIE program in: Cameron, Clarion, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, and Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, and Potter, Venango, and Warren counties on behalf of the PA Council on the Arts (PCA). Each January we offer an open invitation for new artists to apply for inclusion in to our AIE program.

This year, we will accept applications Jan 1 through Feb 29, 2008.

Who can apply? Professional artists who….

• Are individuals and groups, in all artistic disciplines
• Demonstrate excellence in their art form
• Communicate and interact effectively with others
• Can plan and implement sequential lessons that actively engage participants in the creative process
• Reside in PA or a neighboring state

Read more about artist eligibility...

Where can I obtain an application? The required application must be completed online (see Application Instructions...). Applicants must also submit the following to the Arts Council of Erie by the February 29, 2008 deadline:

• One (1) copy of the completed online application
• A portfolio of work samples
• A professional resume
• Two (2) letters of recommendation
  
  

How are artists chosen?

• An advisory panel composed of artists, educators, and administrators review the applications. Applicants are reviewed based upon the artistic quality of their submitted work samples, education, experience, communication skills and their understanding of the role of a “Teaching Artist’.
• Applicants recommend for consideration by the panel, are invited to participate in a panel interview.
• After the interview, those who are recommended by the advisory panel are then observed in an instructional setting.
• Once observations are completed , the candidates are forwarded to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for final review.
• To retain Directory Artist status, all artists accepted in the program, must be reviewed every three years, by the advisory panel.

Read more on Selection Criteria & Process...

Directory Artist Application Documents

• Application Instructions
• Apply online
• Required Work Samples
• Selection Criteria & Process
• Application check list
• Define Teaching Artist
• Detail Artist Residency
• Contact us

Apply for up to $5,000 for community arts projects in Erie County. Read more about Arts Council Project Grants.

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In our 2007-2008 fiscal year, the Arts Council of Erie distributed over half a million dollars in grants. Your support makes this possible!

View a complete list of our grant recipients here.