Artist-Educator Professional Training | Royal Conservatory of Music

A Four-Tiered Certification Program for Artists Wishing to Expand Their Careers and Enhance their Skills as an Artist-Educator

In all aspects of education, there is increasing interest in “whole-brain” learning — learning that is proven to be highly effective when delivered through the arts. Over the past decade, neuroscientists have learned much about the developing brain. As part of The Royal Conservatory, Learning Through the Arts® (LTTA) has been developing its arts-based integrative learning methodology since 1994. Due to our consistent framework and focus on artist training and teacher professional development, we are now seen to be at the leading edge of integrative learning worldwide. LTTA has grown to become one of the most extensive arts-based public school initiatives globally.

This certification is in response to the need for consistent training of artist-educators. We anticipate there will continue to be an expanding need for artists at all levels in schools across Canada and, increasingly, in international and corporate settings as well as social service agencies. The four-tiered artist training program is designed to provide community artists with:

• Relevant learning modules
• Consistent standards of delivery
• Highly skilled facilitators
• Practical tools for artists
• A sequence of clear levels of achievement in building skills and experiences
• Opportunities for reflection and growth

What is the Opportunity for Artists?
Standards
Curriculum Modules for Artist Certification Program
Artist Success
Course Descriptions and Modules
     Artist-Educator Foundations Course
     Community Artist Course
     Level I – Artist-Educator
     Level II – Lead Artist
     Level III – Mentor Artist
Frequently Asked Questions
Application and Registration Procedures
Course Admission

What is the Opportunity for Artists?
Working in classrooms, social service agencies, and other institutions requires a special kind of multifaceted person who is proficient in one or many art forms but who also possesses many other skills and qualities such as compassion, patience, creativity, ability to communicate effectively, and the desire to learn and apply important educational and community concepts to what they already know about their art form.

The purpose of this training program is to help artists develop advanced educational skills, such as creative problem solving, knowledge of curriculum, and an understanding of child development, in a systematic fashion. Certification is an opportunity for interested artists wishing to deepen and strengthen their practice.

Courses offered as part of the Artist-Educator Professional Training:

Foundations Course
Community Artist Course
Level I – Artist-Educator
Level II – Lead Artist
Level III – Mentor Artist

Standards
All artists participating in these courses are expected to continue to develop professionally by attending all sessions, submitting expected lesson plans and papers, and continuing their work in the classroom or community as well as practicing their art form.

Curriculum Modules for Artist Certification Program
The curriculum for each certification level is divided into various strands — Program Orientation, Program Planning and Delivery, Marketing, and Public Relations — which increase in complexity and depth at each level, enabling artists to build substantively on their skills, if they choose to continue through the levels.

Artist Success
The intended outcome of this training is to provide artists with the prerequisite skills to successfully implement the certification program. Artist evaluation will include:
• Successful completion of the training modules
• Lesson plan reviews
• Classroom observations
• Leadership observations
• Teacher and school feedback
• Self-reflection
• Performance review

Course Descriptions and Modules

Artist-Educator Foundations Course

For information about the Foundations courses sponsored by the Ontario Arts Council:

English

Please note that registration is closed for Kingston, Ottawa, Sudbury and Toronto. Registration remains open for Hamilton and Sioux Lookout.

Veuillez marquer que l'inscription est fermée pour Kingston, Ottawa, Sudbury et Toronto. L’inscription reste ouverte pour Hamilton et pour Sioux Lookout.

Level I – Artist-Educator

The Artist Educator Professional Training builds on the learning begun in the Artist Educator Foundations course and adds another layer of understanding to the work of an Artist Educator. Through this course, artists develop their skills to work successfully in schools and or in community settings, blending educational content and theory within a creative, arts-infused, “laboratory” environment. Artists apply their learning through the creation of lesson plans and presentations.

Modules will be presented on subjects such as arts curriculum, working with youth and how to develop and structure arts-based lessons that are effective and engaging for learners. Participants can expect to come out of this level with concrete skills which they can use to bring their art form to work with children and youth in various settings.

A certified Level I artist is a highly effective communicator capable of developing meaningful relationships with teachers and community partners. The artist-educator is motivated to making a contribution to community and school settings.

Level I certification prepares you for

Work in elementary, intermediate and secondary schools as well as in community settings
Working with core curriculum such as math and language arts
Developing meaningful and relevant lesson plans
Effective communication with students, teachers and staff
Development of solid partnerships with educational or community partners
Making appropriate programming choices for a variety of ages, stages and abilities

Course Modules for Level I

Understanding School Culture and Teacher Culture
Working with Community and Social Service Organizations
Engaging Effective Partnering in Schools or Community Settings
Session Management – The Art of Questioning (Level I)
Differentiated Instruction
Social Studies, Science and Math Curriculum through the Arts
Literacy Curriculum through the Arts
Preparing Lesson Plans (Level I)
Inclusive Practices (Level I)
Understanding Ages and Stages of Development – Working with Youth

Prerequisite for Level I

Must have completed the Artist-Educator Foundations Course with a passing grade.

Dates, Times and Cost

(Fall) Mondays, Sept 24 – Dec 3, 2012 (no class Oct 8) – 10 week course

(Winter) Mondays, Jan 28 - Apr 22, 2013 (no class Feb 18, Mar 11, Apr 1) – 10 week course

6:30-9:30pm

$600

Level II – Lead Artist

The Level II course continues the learning of Level I, deepening the artist’s ability to work in schools and community settings. This course leads to the designation of “Lead Artist”. The Lead Artist certification course blends a sequential approach to core educational content and theory with a creative “laboratory” environment in which artists can experiment with applying their art forms to the delivery of interesting projects.

The course focuses on topics such as how people learn at different stages of life, adult education, understanding the brain, and how to develop and structure arts-based lessons that are effective and engaging for learners, including adult learners, as well as marketing yourself and your projects. Participants in this course will gain a deeper understanding of how to approach potential partners to pitch their projects.

A certified Level II artist is preparing for a leadership role. In addition to working in classrooms, these artists are also capable of delivering a variety of adult workshops to teachers, artists, parents, administrators and the community.

Level II certification prepares you to

Deliver workshops to teachers, school administrators, and staff in a community setting
Deliver demonstrations to funders, media or other audiences
Deliver workshops for other artists
Present to parent and community groups

Course Modules for Level II

Teaching in a Variety of Contexts
Session Management – Workshops for Adults
Current Brain Research and the Arts
Media Literacy
Rubrics and Assessment
Creating Lesson Units
Inclusive Practices (Level II)
Understanding Ages and Stages of Development – Adult Learning
Technology Skills for Presentations – Working with Still Images and Text
Presentation Skills – Pitching Yourself as an Artist Educator
Facilitating Professional Development
Parent and Community Presentations
Marketing and Communications – Resumes and Bios

Prerequisites for Level II

Must have completed Artist-Educator Professional Training – Level I (minimum of 65%)
Permission from the Course Director

Dates, Times and Cost

(Fall) Thursdays, Sept 27 – Nov 29, 2012 – 10 week course

(Winter) Thursdays, Jan 31 – Apr 11, 2013 (no class Mar 14) – 10 week course

6:30-9:30pm

$600

Level III - Mentor Artist

Become a leader in the emerging field of integrative education. Building on the core learning of the Lead Artist certification, this intensive leads to certification as a Royal Conservatory Mentor Artist. A mentor artist can play a significant role in contributing to the training of other artists and has the capacity to work with a wide range of organizations at a very high level. This is a true community leadership course.

The mentor artist training explores such topics as coaching, leadership communication, presentations, and project design and evaluation, and applying your skills to national and international settings. The course evaluation includes a practicum component and submission of a project write up, and a text package. It can only be taken after time to practice and integrate the learning of Levels I and II has occurred.

A certified Level III artist plays a significant role in contributing to the training of other artists and has the capacity to work with a wide range of organizations. As a senior ambassador for the arts and education, they represent at conferences and events, and make presentations to corporations, governments and other potential funders. A mentor artist expands their skills to work with NGO’s, social service agencies and contribute to arts and education on the international stage.

Level III certification prepares you to

Work in collaboration with local organizations to support them in their objectives
Work with and for regional organizations
Present and work worldwide

Course Modules for Level III

Teaching in the Global Context
Communication Skills – Conflict Resolution
Communication Styles
Visioning Your Artist-Educator Dream Project
Arts Education Project Planning and Budgeting
Inclusive Practices (Level III)
Technology Skills for Presentations – Working with Video
Presentation Skills – Understanding Context to Create Effective Content
Coaching, Evaluation and Feedback
Marketing and Communications – Promoting Yourself through Social Media
Marketing and Communications – Preparing for Tradeshows and Conferences

Prerequisites for Level III

Artist-Educator Professional Training – Level II (minimum of 65%)
Minimum of 45 hours of teaching or facilitating in a school or social service organization (within the last year)

Application Requirements

A completed application form
Letter of recommendation (from a teacher, principal or other facilitator worked with)
Permission from the Course Director

Dates, Times and Cost

Monday-Friday, June 10-21, 2013

10am-5pm each day

60 teaching hours plus 45 additional practicum hours

$925

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am a teacher who is familiar with the arts. Can I still take the course?

These courses are for working artists who are interested in working in educational or community and social service settings. They are not designed for teachers, although an exception may be made for artists with teacher training who are not teaching in a classroom.

2. Are these Royal Conservatory courses or Ontario Arts Council courses?

All of these courses are created and run by The Royal Conservatory. The Ontario Arts Council is a sponsor for the Foundations courses that take place Ontario-wide in the Spring only. They have offered advice and guidelines in reference to the content and delivery of the Foundations course.

3. What are the differences between all courses? What are the main areas of focus for each course?

See the descriptions for each level for details and course modules. The Foundations course is an introduction. The three other levels build upon each other and together create a truly comprehensive exploration of the skills needed to be an expert in the field of arts and education. The Community Artist Course is a supplementary course to the Certification but is not a requirement. It offers an opportunity to explore working in Community, Health Care and Social Service settings.

4. What exactly will I get once I complete all three levels?

You will have full certification from The Royal Conservatory. You will receive a certificate and be invited to attend Convocation, the graduation ceremony held by The Royal Conservatory.

5. Is the certification recognized in the community?

Yes. The Royal Conservatory is an internationally recognized institution.

6. What are the job prospects once I have completed?

You are taking a certification course from an internationally recognized institution, with the support and recognition of the Ontario Arts Council, which is a big advantage. You are also receiving training in presentation skills, marketing your projects, accessing granting bodies, etc. Having said that, as artists we work for ourselves. The goal of the program is to empower the artists who participate in it.

7. What are some examples of what people can do with this training?

This training will help artists to work in schools and community and social service agencies such as mental health facilities, shelters, or youth centres. You can also apply to existing arts-based programs and work for them, or create your own projects. Those who have completed Level III may find opportunities to work abroad, and to train other artists.

Application and Registration Procedures

Artist-Educator Foundations Course