Savoring a Job Well-Done: Reflections on the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Teaching Artist Retreat
I always expect that the summertime will be slow and lazy, and somehow it never is. So I definitely look forward to the little pause that everyone seems to take when July 4th rolls around.
This time last summer, I was working hard in my role as Project Coordinator on the inaugural 2018 Mid-Atlantic Teaching Artist Retreat. Sponsored by the Delaware Division of the Arts, Maryland State Arts Council, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts and West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, the 2018 Mid-Atlantic Teaching Artists Retreat brought together arts education professionals from across the Mid-Atlantic region to build and strengthen a regional network of teaching artists. Approximately 60 teaching artists (10 from each of the six participating Mid-Atlantic states) participated in this event, which took place at the bucolic Allenberry Resort, near the halfway point of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania's Blue Ridge Mountains.
The retreat agenda, designed collaboratively by the arts education managers from the state arts agencies listed above, was meant to help teaching artists build their businesses, introduce big-picture trends in arts education, offer inspiration for teaching artists’ creative practices, and connect them with colleagues across the Mid-Atlantic region. Right away, the tone was set with an inspiring keynote address by artist and entrepreneur Gina Lyles from Richmond, VA. Poet, singer, rapper and youth empowerment coach, Gina’s personal narrative, based on her experiences with incarceration, motherhood and work as an arts educator, underscored her powerful message: “Art saves lives!” Keynote remarks were followed by four concurrent ‘deep-dive’ workshops on residency planning, marketing, entrepreneurial skills, and advocacy. Afternoon breakouts included two sessions dedicated to opportunities for teaching artists at the regional and national level, including Teaching Artists of the Mid-Atlantic (TAMA) and the Young Audiences’ National Residency Teaching Artist Credential. Day One of the retreat rounded out with four, peer-led pop-up art labs. Participants were encouraged to come and go freely from all four labs, nurturing their creativity and sharing inspiration with others. The vibrant energy of these pop-up art labs continued on into the evening ‘coffee and cookies’ reception and impromptu jam session / dance party on the patio. It was a perfect summer evening!
On Day Two participants gathered in groups according to their state arts agencies for some informal networking. A final plenary panel took place, featuring four arts education professionals who spoke to how teaching artists might bring their practice into other arts learning contexts beyond the K-12 classroom, including in special education and settings where veterans, incarcerated individuals and seniors are served. Participants then came together for closing thoughts and reflections led by the six state arts agency organizers. Common themes of professional validation, self-care, networking, peer-to-peer support, and inspiration emerged in these reflections -- a testament to how valuable the practice of retreat with fellow artists can be.
Looking back on what we accomplished with last summer’s Mid-Atlantic Teaching Artist Retreat, I feel very grateful. It was a true retreat in that participants and organizers alike came away feeling recharged, grounded, and cared for, as a community. As I get ready to take a few days off now to enjoy some sunshine and beach time, I’m savoring that memory of a job well done and wishing us all the pleasures of a well-earned break.