The First National
Teaching Artists Forum
The Association of
Teaching Artists First
National Teaching
Artists Forum, in
collaboration with the
Center for Arts
Education, was held at
the Center for Arts
Education, 225 West 34th
Street, New York, New
York on April 16,
2011. The Forum was
envisioned by ATA as a
means to advance the
field of teaching
artistry. ATA believed
that the time for such
an event was long past
due.
Space restrictions
limited attendance. Arts
Education field leaders,
Teaching Artists, and
representatives from
networks of Teaching
Artists, representing
various parts of the
country and multiple
generational
perspectives, met in a
think tank environment,
facilitated pro bono by
Eric Booth, for dialogue
and exchange. No one was
paid an honorarium.
Those present explored
key needs and concerns
in order to create a
forward thinking,
realistic, highly
actionable agenda. The
Forum combined a number
of activities, including
a presentation by Nick
Rabkin, large and small
group work, and
preparatory assignments
all focused strictly on
advancing the field of
teaching artistry.
The First National
Teaching Artists Forum
was an act of love,
faith, and the
determination to advance
the field. It was
grounded in the
knowledge that a quality
arts education for all
k-12 students needs a
strong, effective, and
well-supported field of
professional Teaching
Artists.
We made a start out of
particulars.
To make a start
out of particulars
and make them general,
rolling
up the sum.
William Carlos Williams,
Preface, "Patterson"
