Teaching Artists Research Project

September, 2011

There have been remarkable advances in arts education, both in and out of schools, over the last fifteen years, despite a difficult policy environment. Teaching artists, the hybrid professionals that link the arts to education and community life, are the creative resource behind much of this innovation. Their best efforts are redefining the roles the arts play in public education. Their work is central to arts organizations' strategies for civic engagement and diverse audiences. Excellent research has shown that arts education is instrumental to the social, emotional, and cognitive development of thousands of young people. But little is known about teaching artists. Led by CPC Research Affiliate Nick Rabkin, the Teaching Artists Research Project (TARP) deepens our understanding of world of teaching artists through studies in twelve communities, and it will inform policy designed to make their work sustainable, more effective, and more meaningful.

Executive Summary and Final Report (norc.org)

Funded by:

Chicago Site Study: Chicago Community Trust, Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Fry Foundation, McDougal Family Foundation, Morse Charitable Trust, Irving Harris Foundation, Chicago Tribune Foundation

Boston Site Study: Barr Foundation, Boston Foundation, Massachusetts Cultural Council

Providence Site Study: Rhode Island Foundation, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, Providence Department of Art, Culture and Tourism

Seattle Site Study: Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Harvest Foundation, Seattle Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, Tacoma Foundation, Washington State Arts Commission, Raynier Foundation, Tacoma Arts Commission, 4Culture

Bay Area Site Study: Heller Foundation

California Site Studies: Hewlett Foundation, Irvine Foundation

General Support: JPMorgan/Chase Foundation