ARTeacher Fellowship Program Accepting Applications

Photo submitted

ARTeacher fellows Lyndsey Randall and Joshua Davis (foreground) and Sharon Danjuma, an associate of Crystal Bridges (background), take part in a recent ARTeacher Fellowship workshop on using graphic novels in the classroom

The ARTeacher Fellowship is seeking bright and dedicated teachers for the eighth year of its successful and innovative professional learning program.

The application period is now open, and the deadline to apply is May 1. Download the ARTeacher Fellowship application.

The ARTeacher Fellowship was organized by the University of Arkansas Center for Children and Youth in collaboration with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Walton Arts Center. On Tuesday, the Center for Children and Youth was honored as a 2019 Governor’s Arts Award winner at a ceremony in Little Rock. Hung Pham and Chris Goering — along with other U of A representatives from the College of Education and Health Professions — traveled to the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion to attend the ceremony.

The ARTeacher Fellowship provides area secondary teachers with an intensive course of training and development focused on using arts-based strategies in the English, science, or social studies classroom. First-year Fellows receive $1,000 stipend for their participation and successful completion of the program.

Ten area teachers will be chosen by a selection panel to participate in the year-long fellowship. To be considered, applicants should be in their third year or greater of teaching English, science, or social studies in grades 7-12, and demonstrate a keen interest in learning and implementing well-designed arts strategies with students. Fellows who successfully complete their first year receive a stipend for their work and may be selected to continue for a second and third year to further develop their expertise.

"We believe that, just as with students, teachers thrive when rigor, relevance, and relationships are at the core of their work," said Hung Pham, director for the Center for Children and Youth. "The previous years of the ARTeacher Fellowship have shown how arts integration can empower subject area teachers to deepen and invigorate their students' learning while igniting both teacher and student creativity."

ARTeacher Fellows receive professional development in both performing arts and visual arts strategies from leading educators, including teaching artists from the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts; Teachers College, Columbia University; and the Lincoln Center. With the support of peers and the ARTeacher staff, the participants take their learning back to the classroom to implement new arts-based activities and projects. In addition to their in-class teaching, fellows have presented on arts integration at conferences across the state as well as nationally.

"I attribute so much of my growth to [the ARTeacher Fellowship program]," said Julie Griggs, a 2016-18 fellow. "ARTeacher challenges me to stretch and to view myself as a professional beyond just my classroom — not just in arts integration but in all aspects of my career." Griggs was selected as the 2018 Teacher of the Year at Bentonville High School, where she teaches English.

The Center for Children and Youth is an endowed initiative housed in the U of A College of College of Education and Health Professions, Department of Curriculum and Instruction.