TEACHING ARTIST WORKSHOP

On Monday December 5, 2011 the Central Regional Member Education and Outreach Committee hosted a Teaching Artist Workshop conducted by AEA member Bruce Taylor. Mr. Taylor, who has previously worked as a Consultant, Director, and Lecturer for national and international arts organizations, is a champion of arts education in public education. Mr. Taylor, over his years as an Arts Administrator, has created programs and practices that have successfully weaved artistic practices into programs designed to be used in the classroom. Mr. Taylor shared these practices with Union members (SAG/AFTRA/AEA) on Monday December, 5 and challenged the participants to become viable Teaching Artists. Mr. Taylor held follow-up seminars on Friday, December 9 and Monday, December 19 in which the participants reconvened to present their proposed lesson plans incorporating the ideas and principles Mr. Taylor shared in the first workshop. As one member shared to AEA "Bruce has been a pleasure to work with, bringing his attention to detail to all parts of the project. His communication and people skills are excellent, and he has some very innovative ideas." Mr. Taylor also donated a copy of his book, The Arts Equation: Forging a Vital Link Between Performing Artists and Educators (Back Stage Books, 1999) to the Ray Lonergan Memorial Library. Chicago Equity staff would like to thank the Member Education and Outreach Committee for hosting the workshop. Committee and Staff would like to send a very heartfelt "Thank You!" to Mr. Bruce Taylor for his passion, enthusiasm, and for selflessly volunteering his time to his fellow Equity members.