Young Audiences Arts for Learning’s National Teaching Artist Credential (TAC) articulates what effective, high-quality teaching artistry looks like in K-12 school-based residencies, and formally endorses exceptional teaching artists who embody excellence in four competency areas: Preparation, Artistry, Planning, and instruction.

This nationally recognized credential validates teaching artistry as a field and advances arts-in-education by providing quality assurance for schools, promoting collaboration between classroom teachers and teaching artists, and above all, ensuring successful learning outcomes for students.

Credentialed Teaching Artists (CTAs) are seasoned professional Teaching Artists, likely with at least 5 to 10 years of experience and proven skill in implementing school-based residencies. Committed to the ongoing development of their teaching practice, CTAs seek professional learning opportunities in their art form and around topics that are important to the educational field, staying current so as to better serve all students equitably. CTAs support, serve, and advocate for their arts and educational communities, lifting up, above all, the right of all students to have access to high-quality arts education regardless of geography or background.