Fall 2021 Digital Learning Lab

The ArtStarts Learning Lab is a series of professional development workshops offered to professional and emerging artists interested in expanding the role of art in education through their own art practice.

Our Fall 2021 Digital Learning Lab will be held online over the course of five Zoom sessions from September 20 to September 29.

The sessions are designed to prepare young artists to expand their art practice by:

• Learning about ArtStarts' programs and how to apply to the Artist Directory
• Strengthening applications for relevant granting programs
• Connecting with peers with similarly creative and artistic endeavors

In order to apply, please use our form to fill out a few questions. This will help us determine if this program is well suited for you and your professional development needs. While the selection process is not competitive, we will prioritize applicants who can commit to attending a majority of the sessions and who demonstrate an interest in working with young people within the school system.

Emerging and professional artists from across the province of BC are eligible to apply.

To apply, fill out this form. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on September 17, 2021. 

The Learning Lab will not cover the following topics:

• How to teach fine arts techniques
• Basic group facilitation skills
• Early childhood & adolescent development
• Grading, discipline, and other skills specific to the teaching profession
• Any information not yet released by BC’s Ministry of Education or Health

We recommend that you have a basic comfort level with techniques in your own art practice, and some confidence with group facilitation, prior to applying for the Lab.

Completing the ArtStarts Learning Lab does not:

• Guarantee you a position working in the school system as an artist
• Guarantee that you will receive one of our Artists in the Classroom grants, or a residency through the AIRS program - but it helps!

Our hope is that through the completion of the Lab, you’ll be inspired to pursue work in arts education on a path that is right for you.

Workshop Dates and Information

Monday, September 20th, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Touring in Schools with Pavan Thind

Are you a professional performing artist interested in sharing your work in schools across the province? Join ArtStarts Program Manager, Pavan Thind, for a guided introduction of the ArtStarts Booking and Touring department. This session will touch on the history of the department, share how the booking service supports both artists and educators, and provide insight on what being an artist on the ArtStart Artist Directory entails, including information on the merger of the Artist on Tour and Artist in the Classroom Directory. Pavan will also walk through the steps of applying to the ArtStarts Artist Directory and Showcase. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the department, ask questions and see if ArtStarts is the right fit for you and your practice.

Wednesday, September 22nd, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Artists in the Classroom Grant: Info Session and Teacher & Artist Mixer with Lily Cryan

Are you a professional artist interested in applying for the AIC grant, but need support finding a teacher to work with? Join this session facilitated by ArtStarts Program Manager Lily Cryan to meet potential collaborators and work through some curriculum ideas together!

Saturday, September 25, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Artist in Action: ArtStarts on Saturdays with Heather Lamoureux & VINES Festival Artists

Observe artists from the Vines Art Festival as they present work for children and families in our monthly ArtStarts on Saturdays program! At noon, Learning Lab participants will convene with presenting artists and Heather Lamoureux, Artistic Director of the Vines Art Festival, to discuss building a community-centred art practice.

Monday, September 27, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Grants 101 with BC Arts Council Staff

In this session, BC Arts Council staff will show participants how to set up an Individual Profile and navigate through the online grant system so they can apply for funding. The session will offer an overview of BCAC's relevant granting programs and tips on writing strong grants for individual artists. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about any of BCAC’s granting programs.

Wednesday, September 29, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Accessibility Workshop: Open Access and its Application with Carmen Papalia

Join artist Carmen Papalia for this session on his work in accessibility and art. In this workshop, Carmen will first introduce the participants to the tenets of Open Access and how he has applied it in his practice, followed by a discussion on accessibility beyond compliance and disability justice. Some pre-work of reading and/or watching may be required for this workshop.