I didn’t always have the language to name what it was I desired to do with my creative career, but I sure knew when I witnessed the magic. I was 14 years old and I saw this play. I’d seen plays before in my life, but this one was created, written, and performed by high school students about what they cared about. I saw myself reflected on stage. I saw the issues my friends and I struggled with on a daily basis explored through the stories. I didn’t know it then, but what I had witnessed was the magic of teaching artistry. The youth on stage had been guided in creating their play by an artist skilled in both theatre and youth development. That was what I wanted to do with my life, I just didn’t learn the word teaching artist for another decade or so. Arts Corps teaching artists make magic in classrooms, community centers, housing sites, and more each day to bring their artistry, their empathy, their community development, and their culture, and their love of youth to life with young people. Will you join me in supporting that great work? 

(Here's a photo of me dancing it up with community during our COVID Arts Corps "Pop-up Performances")