The Creative Connections program provides a paid, year-long teaching artist internship to UCI arts majors, preparing them to develop and implement arts-based curriculum and projects for K-12 students in collaboration with an Orange County area educator.

Creative Connections has two major goals:

1. To provide CTSA Teaching Artist Interns practical teaching experience within their discipline that is equitable, diverse and inclusive
2. To support K-12 Orange County students and educators in achieving greater learning through artistic practice and exploration

This program not only offers sustained access to arts education that augments the amazing work being done in Orange County area schools and districts, but also develops our CTSA students into engaged citizen artists and arts educators as they work towards their degrees. Participation in the Creative Connections program is free for schools and school districts, with priority given to educators at schools receiving support from Title 1 of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Projects are created collaboratively between the Creative Connections Teaching Artist Interns and Educators in the fields of art, dance, drama and music, spanning across the entire school-year.

Watching my students paint and express their amazing talents, has inspired me to create artwork of my own, which has been difficult for me lately. They unclogged that creativity block that I had for so long. 

Wimym / UCI Art Major / Class of 2021

It has been fantastic working with the Creative Connections program; it has provided learning opportunities to our students that just would not have been possible otherwise.

Jason Grenier / Teacher / Irvine Unified School District

Until this internship, I was not presented with opportunities outside of the UCI community to contribute to a better society. This is a necessary and fulfilling experience that I recommend to anyone at CTSA.

Kathleen / UCI Art Major / Class of 2016

I absolutely adore my Teaching Artist Interns. They connect weekly with me and their lesson plans are as professional and as engaging as anything a seasoned teacher would come up with, especially in the difficult circumstance of this academic year. They have been flexible team members and they connect with my students in honest and genuine and inspiring ways every time they join us.  I seriously can't thank [CTSA] enough for connecting us. I think they are amazing and represent UCI in the best possible light.

Terry Schwinge / Teacher / Santa Ana Unified School District