Each ArtistYear AmeriCorps Member works full-time in a Title I school in America to deliver an issue-based arts curriculum that inspires active youth citizens and supports school culture and goals. Members will ensure the highest quality instruction, meet the needs of the school and students, and support each child holistically. Members will collaborate with school personnel and other ArtistYear cohort members, and will facilitate school community and family involvement. Each ArtistYear member will uphold the mission, values, and expectations of ArtistYear, and openly contribute service year learnings back to the arts education and national service fields.
Service Activities
A full-time (40 hours) service week in a Title I funded school, inclusive of:
Direct teaching and school common-time hours.
Communication, meeting, planning, and preparation hours.
Student performance or exhibition hours.
Full attendance and participation in all training and professional development requirements for school site and ArtistYear.
Designing and teaching standards-based, aligned arts education that supports school culture and goals, as well as ArtistYear’s standards.
On-time submission of all required time-sheets and data collection reports.
Design and execute arts instruction and activities that encourage student social-emotional growth.
Prepare and execute required Community Arts Events (minimum of one per year).
Regular communication, meetings and collaboration with school staff members and the ArtistYear leadership.
Complete required documentation and records for school site and ArtistYear.
Receive and implement regular and supportive feedback from ArtistYear leadership and/or school site supervisor on performance.
Community Need Addressed
Research shows that when children are involved in the arts, they reap substantial social, academic, and personal benefits. The positive effects of arts-rich experiences on vulnerable student populations demonstrate improvement in school climate, culture, and academic engagement, an increase in civic-minded and leadership behaviors, and the development of social and non-cognitive skills.
Art also leads to significant gains in academic achievement, bolstering success in science, technology, engineering, and math. These subjects cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving skills, all vital to the creative economy and global understanding in the 21st century. Economically disadvantaged students are far less likely to access quality arts instruction when compared to their more affluent peers (National Center for Education Statistics). Further, this “Arts Education Gap” disproportionately effects students of color and English Language Learners, who are far more likely to attend mid-high to high-poverty public schools (National Endowment for the Arts, NCES and National Equity Atlas).
ArtistYear believes that the arts are imperative for the development of critical thinking, self-discipline, empathy, and civic engagement, and that these characteristics are key to an informed and engaged citizenry and a thriving democracy. ArtistYear believes that access to the arts and its many benefits is a fundamental right for every child. We are committed to erasing the art opportunity gap in the United States.
Position Outcomes
ArtistYear facilitates positive outcomes for students, schools and communities. We measure our impact by examining outcomes for the following:
1. Students: ArtistYear is designed to reach underserved student populations, including economically disadvantaged youth, English Language Learners, and students of color. We intend to: Improve school engagement; Increase civic-minded and leadership behaviors; Develop youth artistry; Foster 21st-century skills; Provide a safe space for self-expression
2. Schools: We believe that all schools deserve to be “art-rich.” We aim to: Enhance school climate and culture; fostering social bonds and community through art; Expand parent engagement opportunities; Inspire further investments in arts education for each partner school
3. Communities: The arts are a vehicle for civic engagement and contribution. We seek to realize the long-term benefits of quality art experiences for youth: Engaged Citizen-Leaders Creative; Healthy and Vibrant Communities; Increased Work-Force Success
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
A monthly living stipend of $2,083 (pre-tax).
Segal Education Award following successful completion of your service year.
Federal school loan forbearance during your ArtistYear.
A stipend to cover health insurance equivalent to the Bronze Level on the Health Insurance Marketplace if not already covered by an existing policy.
Regular professional development/training opportunities in classroom management, child development, teaching artistry, creativity, arts education, and civic engagement.
Mentoring: on-site in your school assignment and through off-site sessions.
Opportunities for external networking within your service community, collaboration with arts professionals, ArtistYear staff, and program alumni.
Obtain critical skills in the domains of communication, conflict resolution, project design, and self-advocacy.
Build supportive meaningful relationships with ArtistYear colleagues and your students through the arts.
Additional benefits may vary based on region.
Skills you will gain
teaching artistry, classroom management, lesson planning, time management, public speaking, effective communication, cultural competency, event planning, financial planning, leveraging technology applications for digital strategy and efficiency
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment