Teaching Artist | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Teaching Artist

New Role in
the Classroom

MCAD's Teaching Artist minor strengthens the connection between your studio practice and teaching in K–12 schools and community settings. As part of the program, students are introduced to arts education organizations by the people who know them best: arts organization leaders. You get hands-on experience by way of residency and shadow placements in local, national, and international K–12 and community education classrooms. Students are prepared to work as teaching artists in school and community arts, social services, health care, after-school programs, museum education, nonprofit arts organizations, and specific populations or communities.

Person hanging up artwork

Hear about the student experience

As a Teaching Artist Minor, you will:

  • Apply practices and theories of arts education and community engagement.
  • Learn about best practices in arts education.
  • Develop and implement lesson plans, assessments, and a reflective teaching practice.
  • Receive ongoing, individualized support from faculty, teachers, mentors, and peers.
  • Develop presentation packets required for residency applications
  • Participate as a teaching artist in the community supported by mentors.
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Class Highlights

This minor emphasizes a collaborative process of working on teams with students from all MCAD majors.

Required classes and electives include: 

  • Art in Community
  • Introduction to General Psychology
  • Teaching Artist: Theory and Methods
  • Teaching Artist: Practicum
  • Non-Western Art History 

After MCAD

There are many paths to explore with a minor in Teaching Artist.

Potential careers include:

  • Museum Educator
  • Art Instructor
  • Community Engagement Manager

“The program taught me about the teacher that I want to be, the populations that I want to work with, and the kinds of communities that I want to engage in.” –Kehayr Brown ’19, Interdisciplinary Artist and Educator

The Teaching Artist Minor is not designed or approved for teacher licensure, certification, or endorsement in any state or territory. Graduates will not be eligible for any K-12 teacher license, certificate, or endorsement based on completion of this Minor. As a result, graduates may not be eligible to work in public K-12 school settings in all states/territories.