Transformative Teaching Artist Awards

Funder: The Heinz Endowments' Transformative Arts Process (TAP) with New Sun Rising administration

Geographic Scope: Pittsburgh, specifically African American and black communities

Recognition awards for teaching artists demonstrating a practice of challenging structural inequities and bringing transformative arts-centered experience to youth and teaching artists in and from traditionally underserved African American and black communities.

Goal

Move towards a more Just Pittsburgh by invigorating the field of teaching artists and arts organizations that have demonstrated practice of challenging structural inequities in African American and black communities.

Award Purpose

Recognize quality teaching artists for important work in Pittsburgh's African American and black communities. Teaching artists play critical roles in the lives of youth they serve, providing artistic skill building, caring, support, and mentorship. However, teaching artists often face challenges:

• Typically underpaid and under-recognized
• Fragmented delivery system for teaching artist instruction
• Arts instruction often not assigned high priority in public or out-of-school programs

Award Amount

• $5,000 per recipient
• Recognition awards which may be used in any way the recipient deems fit

Selection Process

• Application review period
• Selection committee consisted of peer artists
• Committee conducted thorough review and discussion of applicants' skills, eligibility, and dedication
• 23 applicants considered; 10 finalists selected

2018 Award Recipients

1. Sister IAsia Khalillah Shabazz
2. Kontara Morphis
3. Brett Wormsley
4. Christian Nowlin
5. Junyetta Seale
6. Jayla Patton
7. Ira Cambric III
8. Geña (Maria) Escoriaza
9. Maggie Lynn Negrete
10. (10th recipient listed as award announced)

Eligibility Criteria

• Extensive track record of combining artistic skill with complementary skills of an educator
• Teaching artists in African American and black communities in Pittsburgh
• Demonstrated practice of challenging structural inequities

Award Benefits

• Validation of teaching artistry as an impactful and recognized profession
• Strengthens networks
• Increases visibility for artists choosing this important work
• Recognition as part of valued profession

Contact

Press Contact: Jamie Johnson, Manager of Performance Improvement

About The Heinz Endowments

Devoted to helping the region prosper as a vibrant center of creativity, learning, and social, economic and environmental sustainability. Vision of a just community where all are included and where everyone who calls Southwestern Pennsylvania home has meaningful opportunity to thrive.