College of Visual Arts

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About the Teaching Artist Program

Teaching Artist Program: Theory and Practice

The two-course Teaching Artist Program gives the College of Visual Arts third and fourth year student the opportunity to prepare and experience artist teaching residencies in the schools and community. Students learn to develop basic teaching skills; develop classroom management skills and strategies; create developmentally appropriate lesson plans, objectives, and assessment plans; and learn to acquire and prepare art materials and workspace. Students are introduced to the Minnesota Graduation Standards, a wide variety of community and school based visual arts residency programs, and discussions and experience with multicultural diversity while participating in direct K-12 classroom observation and interaction with Minneapolis and St. Paul students and classroom teachers. After completion of the initial lab/lecture course the students acquire hands on experience in visual arts residencies in the schools and community where they work and collaborate with classroom teachers, teaching artists and arts professionals while being mentored by a CVA faculty member.

The Teaching Artist Program is supported by a strong, cohesive art and design studio and liberal arts curriculum encouraging concetration in an area of choice. Liberals arts courses are chosen to deepen students understanding and experience of culture, psychology, mathmatics, history and the sciences. Students work "in and through the arts" to understand the world as CVA models arts infusion in its own Liberal Arts courses. The Teaching Artist Program is developed to prepare the BFA graduate for art-work in the real world as teaching artists.

See the CVA course catalogue for program course list and requirments.
Thirteen student maximum.

Teaching Artists: Theory and Methods, LA 301

Offered Fall Semester.
During fall semester, course content is presented by a College of Visual Arts lead professor in tandem with a variety of visiting professors and professionals in fields of and relating to the Teaching Artist. Lectures present developmental child psychology, learning styles, arts infusion, multiple intelligence theory, Minnesota Graduation Standards and Best Practices, Multi-cultural Initiative as well as a variety of visual arts residency programs found throughout the state of Minnesota. Students do course and lab work which includes: lesson plan development and assessment; classroom materials techniques and preparation; development of classroom management skills and strategies; and research and writing on an arts education topic of choice. Classroom observation grades K-6 as well as hands on experience developing and team teaching an art infused project finalize the semester. Class meets for 1 1/2 hour lecture and 3 hour lab once a week.
3 credits
Complete Course Syllabus for Teaching Artists: Theory and Methods LA 301

Teaching Artists: Practicum, SE 401

Offered Spring Semester; prerequisite Theory and Methods, LA 301.
Students are involved in actual classroom observation, interaction, and visual arts teaching experiences. Collaborating with classroom teachers, art instructors, arts professionals, and teaching artists CVA students participate in three classroom visual art residencies overseen by the CVA professor. Students are expected to meet independently with their collaborative partners throughout the residencies. The CVA core class meets three times during the semester, and students will be in contact with the CVA instructor via weekly e-mail to check in, aid development of individual lesson plans, assessment methods, and address imminent issues, problems or concerns. The course website is the students link to the classroom. Residency experiences are arranged independently with participating teachers and artists. During practicum the individual student is expected to meet 6 hours a week in three 3-6 week residencies for a total of 85 hours by semester's end. Class meets at CVA four times a semester for a 3-hour session. The three spring class meeting dates are prearranged with the class at the final fall semester class meeting.
3 credits
Complete Course Syllabus for Teaching Artists: Practicum SE 401

 

Lynda Monick-Isenberg
Associate Professor
Foundation Studies and Fine Arts
Coordinator
Teaching Artist Progra

Office 2nd Floor CVA Library
651.310.0575

Office Hours
Monday 11-12:00, 3-5:00
Wednesday  11-12:00, 3-5:00
by appointment

Lynda Monick-Isenberg    Curriculum Vitae