The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council has created the Teaching Artists Opportunity Grant — to benefit arts educators in Western Pennsylvania.
It will provide up to $2,000 per artist for continued learning and professional development.
According to a survey by the council, more than 40% of artists earn income from teaching in K-12 schools or through other partnerships. Previous grant opportunities did not include teaching artists, said Kristen Wishon, director of communications for council.
“There is a need for teaching artists to receive grants,” Wishon said. “This grant opportunity helps everyone. And it will be a good gauge to see how many teaching artists apply. If there is a need we can see if we can procure more funding in the future.”
The requests can be broad, Wishon said. Anything to advance their career development from studying with a new instructor to learning how to work with children.
There are virtual grant workshops available so artists can ask questions about the process through the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council’s website.
An independent grant panel of people in the arts community will review the applications.
Applications open Monday. The deadline is April 12.
Funds come from The Fine Foundation, which invests in projects for arts and culture.
Teaching artists have technical artistic skills, but sometimes lack the skills associated with successfully developing lesson plans, classroom management, or other formal education training,” said Mitch Swain, CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council in a statement.
Those 18 years or older who live in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Mercer, Lawrence, Somerset, Venango, Washington, or Westmoreland counties are eligible.
All disciplines and experience levels are included. Artists can use the money to take courses, attend training events, study with a mentor or travel.
