Teaching Artist Interns

  • Creative Connections - Interns
    Teaching Artist Interns

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Teaching Artist Interns are UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA) students majoring in Art, Dance, Drama or Music.


Teaching Artist Interns participate in Creative Connections because they are:

  • Looking for practical teaching experience
  • Passionate about mentoring and community service
  • Enjoy working with young artists

Our goal is to provide CTSA students with paid, valuable professional development and a pathway to continuing their arts education.  In partnership with Orange County Educators, Interns will work to create inclusive and equitable access to the arts for area K-12 students. Learn more about the program by reading the information below.  

Creative Connections is a great program for any artist who wants to gain real-world teaching experience. This program puts you in elementary, middle school, or high school classrooms with the support and resources that will give you both the best chance to grow and the best opportunity to serve other young artists. I've come away from this program a more well-rounded and confident teaching artist. I can't recommend it enough!

Matthew / UCI Music major / Class of 2022

 


Application

Creative Connections is recruiting for the following positions:

Position Description Application
Teaching Artist Interns Interns collaborate with an Orange County area educator to model and coach K-12 students through arts-based lessons and/or projects within their arts discipline.  Read more in the job description.

Applications have closed. The 2024-2025 applications will open in Spring 2024.

Intern Mentors In addition to their regular intern responsibilities, selected Mentors are returners who will be assigned other interns to guide and support throughout the year.  Read more in the job description.

Applications have closed. The 2024-2025 applications will open in Spring 2024.


Additionally, participation in Creative Connections may be used to fulfill the Major/Minor in Education Sciences practicum requirement, and/or the Minor in Civic and Community Engagement internship requirement regardless of if an intern is getting paid or receiving credit.

 

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Application/Position Timeline

Spring 2023 Quarter
Week 7 May 15, 2023 Mentor applications due
Week 8 May 22-24, 2023 Mentor interviews
  May 25, 2023 Mentor offers out
Finals Week June 13, 2023 Intern applications due
Summer 2023 Quarter
Week 0 June 20-23, 2023 Intern interviews
Week 1 June 30, 2023 Intern offers out
Fall 2023 Quarter
Week 0-10 Sept-Dec 2023 Mandatory Training
    Intern-Educator initial meetings
    Classroom observations
Winter/Spring 2024 Quarters
  Jan-May/June 2024 Project implementation
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How are Interns matched with an Educator?

Interns will be able to review Educator applications during Fall training.  An initial meeting between the Intern and Educator is then scheduled to ensure that the needs, goals, and approaches of both the intern and educator align well.  Once a good match is established, the Intern and Educator will work together to plan at least one classroom observation by the end of Fall Quarter for the intern to see the classroom dynamic and meet the students.

Please note, we do our best to match the interests of the Teaching Artist Interns with the needs of the Educators.  Because of this, we, unfortunately, may not be able to partner all Interns with an Educator.

 

  • What kinds of projects are created as part of the internship?

​Projects are developed collaboratively between the Intern and their matched Educator to augment the work already being done in the classroom.  Beginning in the Winter Quarter and continuing into the Spring Quarter, Interns will implement these planned projects through synchronous or asynchronous classroom lessons, group and individual coaching, and other appropriate teaching methods.  Examples of past projects include: visual art and science integrated drawing lessons, guest choreography sessions, monologue direction, and one-to-one music lessons. 

 

  • I do not have a vehicle to travel to and from my partnered school.  Can I still participate in Creative Connections?

Yes, you can!  We want everyone to be able to take advantage of this unique opportunity and are committed to eliminating as many barriers to participation for our CTSA students.  Therefore, we reimburse all our Interns for their transportation costs to and from their school sites, regardless if you use a personal vehicle, public transportation or car service.

 

  • What if I have other questions that were not answered here?

Should you have any other questions or concerns, please email us at artsoutreach@uci.edu.

 
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