ITAC and Creative Generation Launch New Hub for Archived Professional Learning

Earlier this year, the International Teaching Artist Collaborative (ITAC) invited six innovators to build tools and resources that foster connections in order to support the broader teaching artistry field.

Creative Generation was selected to produce the “Knowledge Sharing and Digital Learning Project.” Across multiple deliverables, our project engages volunteers in the teaching artistry field from around the world to collect, validate, and disseminate best practices in a number of capacities. The deliverables include the creation of digital learning modules for the ITAC Think Tanks; cataloging, publishing, and disseminating research and resources shared through the 2018 and 2020 ITAC conferences; and devising a sustainable and scalable framework for a clearinghouse of new tools and resources created by and for the field of teaching artistry to be located within ITAC’s digital platform.

This week, we are excited to announce that learning modules from 2019 Think Tank sessions are live! 

Not only do these learning modules include the archived content from the original Think Tank session dates (video or audio recordings), but they also contextualize and connect the work of the speaker(s) to their broader fields. 

First and foremost, this allows participants to engage beyond the content of the hour-long session to see the speaker’s work in theory and action. It also allows participants to dive deeper through scholarly articles, a majority of which are free to access! Above all else, it democratizes and immortalizes the vast range of knowledge, experience, and expertise in the teaching artistry field. 

The first five learning modules feature teaching artists who work in Ghana, Czech Republic, Scotland, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Their arts disciplines range from crafting to theatre to dance to visual arts.

  • January 2019 - Peter Atsu Adaletey: Peter Atsu Adaletey and guests provide a brief overview of his their work in Ghana and the important role that the arts can play in not only building girls’ self-esteem and sense of self-worth but also in changing the way that society sees them by witnessing their transformation.

  • March 2019 - Zdenka Svitekova: Zdenka Svitekova and guests share their intergenerational work with the group Ostruzina in the Czech Republic. Their work is centered around participatory experiences that bring audiences onto the stage to engage in what they call “open space” and “free play”.

  • April 2019 - Jessica Howarth: Jessica Howarth and several of her crafting colleagues from Scotland, United Kingdom come together for a round table discussion. Each teaching artist speaks to the impact that crafting can have on participants and communities, especially those who are typically underserved.

  • May 2019 - Brad Haseman: Brad Haseman provides a brief overview of his work in Papua New Guinea (PNG) with his organization, Life Drama. In collaboration with local teaching artists and researchers from Australia, Life Drama uses teaching artistry and theatre to educate young people about sexual health.

  • November 2019 - Victoria Ryle: Victoria Ryle leads a panel discussion on the role of teaching artists in Tasmania, Australia featuring several of her colleagues. Guests from around the world also weigh in to provide their perspective on the nuances of existing as an artist and a teacher - working in and outside of traditional classrooms.

Additional modules from 2019 and 2020 will be launched in December of this year. They will feature sessions from teaching artists the likes of Simon Sharkey, Jess Pilmore, Monique Van Willingh, Clara Bloomfield, Tricia Tunstall, Carmen Oleachea, Rasia Frieder, and Inés Sanguinetti. 

If you are interested in learning more and staying up to date with the launch of additional Learning Modules and all things ITAC, visit ITAC’s website to sign up for their newsletter and check out the Think Tank’s Landing Page. Live Think Tank sessions occur monthly at varying times to accommodate the growing international network of teaching artists.