TAA Mission Statement and Professional Development Programs

The Tennessee Arts Academy provides exceptional professional development focused on and for K-12 arts educators, artists and others interested in arts professional development opportunities. TAA programs serve theatre, dance, music, and visual art teachers; school administrators; and professional artists, performers, and advocates. Training is provided through in-person and virtual formats. TAA celebrates the study and convergence of all major art forms throughout its programming and in so doing, the skills and knowledge offered by TAA are not provided by any other organization or development event in the country.

TAA programming is offered throughout the year, with subject matter designed to build sequentially in order to strengthen the learning experience. Each season provides opportunities for the acquisition of new skills, resource sharing, networking, inspirational performances and presenters, and more. TAA programming includes:

TAA Summer Institute
Educators gather annually in July for the TAA Summer Institute, hosted on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.  The goals of the program are to provide arts educators opportunities to develop new core skills, build confidence, and assemble a comprehensive toolbox of educational resources. The more than 325 TAA Summer Institute participants attend classes & workshop sessions, performances, inspiring artist talks, arts exhibitions, an awards banquet, and a large array of networking and social events. After a week of invigorating activities, educators return to their schools equipped to lead meaningful education programs. Following program completion, teachers receive thirty-six hours of Tennessee state-approved recertification credit; school administrators receive fourteen hours of TASL (Tennessee Academy for School Leaders) credit. Online registration is available at https://taa.hanwi.com/ and begins October 1 of each year and runs through June 30. The Tennessee Arts Academy and its national component, Arts Academy America, are open to all interested educators in Tennessee and from out-of-state.  For a more in-depth and comprehensive look at the TAA Summer Institute, please go to the About Us pull-down menu and select TAA Summer Institute.

Virtual Winter Retreat 
The TAA Winter Retreat, held each year in late February or early March, offers a dynamic and inspiring space for arts educators to reconnect, recharge, and re-engage with creative teaching practices in a collaborative virtual setting. With thoughtfully curated faculty – most of whom return from the previous TAA Summer Institute - the retreat focuses on refining practice and fostering creative momentum mid-year.

Registration for this event is free during an early application window, to reduce cost as a barrier of entry. Following program completion, teachers receive six hours of Tennessee state-approved recertification credit; school administrators receive four hours of TASL (Tennessee Academy for School Leaders) credit.

Arts Rich Schools Program & Awards (ARSPA)
Launched in fall 2023, the Arts Rich Schools Program & Awards (ARSPA) provides Tennessee schools with a comprehensive framework for an exemplary total arts program (i.e., music, theatre, visual art, media arts, and dance).
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Pillars of ARSPA include:
1) “Arts Rich” advocacy at the state and district levels emphasizing the need for increased funding;
2) A criteria-based awards program that acknowledges work of exemplary educators; and
3) Programming for schools striving to improve their arts education initiatives, including a panel and Fall Forum, where the ARSPA awardees participate in interviews (in-person and online).

All schools - regardless of award status - receive detailed application feedback, encouraging them to address needed changes that yield higher quality arts-rich school programs. This work is a big step from supporting frontline educators to also providing principals and superintendents with the foundational building blocks and incentives needed to develop high-quality arts programs.

Master Class Program
The TAA Master Class program connects TAA educators with outstanding professionals in an intensive one-on-one course for learners. This initiative turns learning into an immersive experience not traditionally found in professional development settings for arts educators.

The TAA Master Class program provides a deep dive into various specialties within music, theatre and dance, and visual art. Direct engagement with an expert in the field elevates confidence, advances an individual’s skills, and bolsters their role as an artist, an educator, and a community leader.

TAA hosts two to three master classes per year. These classes take place in the new TAA Studio Space located in our home office in Nashville. All TAA Master Class programs are available to particpants both live and virtually.

TAA Teacher Mentorship Program
The TAA Teacher Mentorship Program is a unique initiative pairing new educators with former TAA program participants in the same discipline. Mentors provide mentees with resources, encouragement, classroom management techniques, advice, and lesson plan assistance throughout the school year.

Year-Round Benefits
TAA’s programming provides year-round benefits and experiences to teacher-participants both during the school year and school breaks. Examples of our year-round programming include the following:

The TAA Teacher Resource Center offers blogs, open forums, shared lesson plans, and an archive of videos from past live events.

The TAA Alumni Association engages newcomers, participates in the mentorship program, promotes the Academy, and sponsors an annual open house at our TAA Administrative Office and TAA Studio Space in Nashville.

TAA’s Teacher Hero Awards spotlight exceptional classroom teachers, uplifting their impact, specialties, and community.

TAA hosts a podcast called “TAA Talks” which spotlights arts education leaders and provides discussion around techniques and tools. Our podcast is available on ten major podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Podcast Index, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Player FM, Listen Notes, Deezer, & Pocket Casts.