Welcome
to the Community of Practice!
VSAM has been reflecting
on its programs and goals, and searching for areas of improvement. We
would like to provide teaching artists with as much support as possible
in their work, and seek to facilitate opportunities for growth and communication
among practitioners.
We feel very lucky to have a network of talented teaching artists involved
in residencies all over Massachusetts. Rather than continuing to exist
as a network of disconnected, independent projects, the "Community
of Practice" proposes a more collaborative model. This new model
is useful for several reasons, as it will provide artists with the time,
space and resources to explore:
1) Professional Development.
VSAM feels the need to provide all of our artists with the training
they need to advance their practice, just as schools provide professional
development to their teachers on a regular basis. This year we will
offer a variety of training opportunities (described below and in an
enclosed document) that will cover themes that are important and relevant
to working in the arts and inclusion.
2) Commonalities.
Over the course of their work, most VSA artists have encountered, are
currently encountering, or will encounter some similar challenges and
situations, from implementing inclusive residencies to working with
school cultures and politics to encouraging teacher involvement. The
Community of Practice acknowledges that you are invaluable resources
for each other, and that fruitful and helpful dialogue can occur through
communicating about these shared experiences.
3) Articulation and accountability.
Through sharing lesson plans, program ideas, and stories with other
VSA artists, you will benefit from articulating ideas that you might
not otherwise be asked to voice. We believe that in sharing goals and
plans, personal clarification and revision can take place. Furthermore,
communicating these ideas to one another creates a culture of accountability,
through which artists will feel compelled to do their best possible
work.
4) Brainstorming creative
solutions. In addition to your shared experiences, you each encounter
unique situations daily; often, particular circumstances will arise
that demand quick, creative solutions and effective strategies. Through
the Community of Practice, you will have the support of the entire VSA
network in meeting these challenges, and will have a safe space to brainstorm
and ask for suggestions.
5) Inspiration and…fun!
You are a fabulous group of artists, educators, and people. We would
like to facilitate opportunities for you to get to know each other better,
and expect the joint experiences that emerge to be both inspirational
and fun!
We are very excited
about transforming VSAM's current network of teaching artists into a
vibrant community, and welcome any thoughts or suggestions that you
may have with regard to this new model!
If you have any questions
please contact Nicole Agois at nicoleagois@vsamass.org
