NETAC - New England Teaching Artist Collaborative

The purpose of NETAC is to build regional capacity to develop thriving communities by preparing teaching artists to serve as catalysts who activate creative potential and foster partnerships with educators, organizations and community groups.

GET INVOLVED: INTEREST FORM

​NETAC is an emerging Collective Impact initiative guided be a steering committee with backbone support from the Community Engagement Lab (VT). 

WE BELIEVE that the New England Teaching Artist Collaborative can: 

• model the equitable and inclusive practices that foster wellbeing and social justice;

• build a teaching artist collaborative that increases sustainability, visibility and the continually-improving practice of the field;

• amplify the impact of creative community engaged projects on communities throughout the region through strong communications, effective knowledge-sharing, and pioneering models which can be adopted and adapted widely;

• develop cross-sector partnerships that foster broad support and participation in creative projects to strengthen personal, school and community well-being.

NETAC hosted its first gathering in July 2023, when fifty teaching artists and community leaders from across New England convened in Burlington for a day-and-a-half of planning, learning and visioning together.

NETAC's strategic framework, designed by the Steering Committee over several months leading up to the Gathering, outlines three growth areas for the network that were explored and further defined at the Gathering: Communication, Network Building, and Professional Learning.

NEXT STEPS

For NETAC to realize its vision, we need a network of individuals and organizations throughout New England that contribute time and resources to its development. 

​To help build NETAC's capacity to support teaching artists as community catalysts in your area, complete this INTEREST FORM and we will be in touch. 

What do we mean by thriving communities and well-being?

A “thriving” community doesn’t mean that residents never have difficulties. It means that any difficulties are accompanied by access to well-being, which comprises: relationships (individuals feel seen, heard and valued; a sense of belonging), support (individuals feel people have their back), and engagement (individuals feel a part of something bigger than themselves, and will show up with their creative energy).

Thanks to Tasha Golden for inspiring this definition of thriving communities and well-being.