*Kara Kemp leads a storytelling workshop for the RAA. Image credit Gale Stoner.*

As we’ve explored in this blog series, arts advocacy can take many forms—from attending a local concert to making the case for arts funding. But one of the most impactful (and often overlooked) ways to advocate for the arts is by supporting the people doing the work at the intersection of creativity and community: teaching artists.

So what exactly is a teaching artist—and why does it matter?

Teaching Artists Are Artists Who Teach—But That’s Not All

A teaching artist is a practicing artist—musician, dancer, painter, actor, writer—who also works as an educator, bringing their creative skills into schools, community centers, hospitals, prisons, and other public spaces.

They don’t just teach about art—they use the arts to help others express themselves, solve problems, build empathy, and process experiences.

Teaching artists are:

In classrooms, helping students think critically and creatively
In after-school programs, giving young people tools for self-expression and resilience
In juvenile centers, creating space for reflection and transformation
In elder care facilities, sparking memory and joy through music and storytelling

They are cultural workers, creative problem-solvers, and advocates for social change—all while navigating the realities of being working artists themselves.

Why Teaching Artists Deserve More Attention

*Lantern Festival 2024 at the Discovery Center; image credit Gale Stoner.*

Teaching artists are often under-recognized and under-supported, despite the powerful impact they have on individuals and communities. They operate in the in-between spaces—sometimes as freelancers, sometimes through nonprofit partners, rarely with the benefits and recognition of traditional educators or full-time artists.

That’s why part of arts advocacy must include making their work more visible, valued, and supported.

As Making Change author Eric Booth puts it:

“Teaching artistry is not a job title. It’s a field. It’s a movement. And it’s a catalyst for social impact through the arts.”

Want to Learn More? Join the Book Club

If this topic sparks your curiosity, we’d love to invite you to join our RAA Arts Advocacy Book Club, where we’ll be reading Making Change: Teaching Artists and Their Role in a Changing World by Eric Booth.

This short, inspiring read is the first of its kind—designed to help people inside and outside the arts understand the power of teaching artistry and how to support it.

Here’s what you need to know: