The Association of Teaching Artists (ATA) is a non-profit professional organization whose mission is to strengthen and serve Teaching Artists from all disciplines in New York State. The Association of Teaching Artists strives to create a community of professional Teaching Artists by: Empowering the practice of Teaching Artists' as a profession; Providing a network for communication and the exchange of resources; Shaping the field of Arts in Education; Providing advocacy, training, and professional development; Publicly recognizing distinguished achievement.

The Association of Teaching Artists was founded at a Summit in Poughkeepsie in April 1998. Teaching Artists, arts administrators, and leaders in statewide arts funding came together at the request of The New York State Council on The Arts to consider the need and feasibility of forming an organization of Teaching Artists. The Artists Summit group met again in June 1998 in Troy and developed and adopted a mission statement, goals, and the name of the new organization. ATA was incorporated in September 1998 and officially introduced to the Arts In Education field at the annual statewide Arts In Education conference, Common Ground, in October 1998.

THE ATA LISTSERV
ATA’s listserv is public and is set up for Teaching Artists in New York State to promote discussion and to share information and resources.
For more information or to subscribe to the listserv, please visit: 
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/associationofteachingartists
or send an email to: 
associationofteachingartists-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

COMMON GROUND
ATA is proud to be a collaborating partner in the Common Ground for Learning Conference. Common Ground is a community building experience for Teaching Artists, a networking opportunity, and a Professional Development conference. 

TEACHING ARTIST DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE FIELD AWARD
This award, created by ATA in 2002, is a lifetime achievement award presented to an individual who not only pioneered the Arts In Education field but who continues to define the best of what it means to be a Teaching Artist. The first recipient of the Award was Richard Lewis. Barbara Fisher and Richard Spiegel were the 2003 honorees. Margot Faught received the Award in 2004. Sherry Robbins received the Award in 2005, Susan Thomasson received the Award in 2006, and Bertha Rogers received the Award in 2007.  

THE GOLDEN ADMINISTRATOR AWARD
ATA created this Award in 2003 to honor an Arts In Education professional whose talent, dedication, and administrative skills actively strengthen and support the role of Teaching Artists and the arts in the schools. The first recipient was Arlene Jordan. Susan Lesser received the Award in 2004. Cass Clark received the Award in 2005, David Silver received the Award in 2006, and Carol Terry received the Award in 2007.