Listed below are signature highlights and key moments of the TAA Summer Institute. Following this overview, the next section offers a more vivid, in-depth look at what makes the Tennessee Arts Academy Summer Institute an inspiring and transformative experience.
• In-depth and intensive workshop sessions designed to meet the specific needs of arts teachers, taught by nationally recognized instructors and artists in the fields of music, visual art, and theatre and dance
• Renowned and inspiring speakers who muse each day about the role the arts have played in their lives
• Daily special guest artist performances that include music, theatre, and dance
• Four exclusive on-campus TAA art exhibitions featuring professional, student, and teacher work
• Exciting cross-disciplinary and multidisciplinary workshops offered throughout the week
• Special classic cinema night, featuring an award-winning film and talkback with one of the filmmakers
• Special Arts Leadership and Administration workshops offered for school administrators, supervisors and arts teachers
• Multiple occasions to network and socialize that include a welcome reception, Academy Awards Bravo Banquet; Arts Expo, Vendor Fair, and Artist Market; and farewell Finale Luncheon
• Over $100 worth of free teaching materials provided to each participant
• Breakfasts, lunches, and two dinners provided during the week
• Teacher Recertification Points (PDPs) and Administrator TASL credit awarded
• Middle Tennessee State University Graduate-Level Academic Credit available
Online registration is available a thttps://taa.hanwi.com/. Registration begins October 1 of each year and runs through June 30.
The Tennessee Arts Academy’s premier event, the TAA Summer Institute, is hosted on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, right outside of Nashville. A world class faculty and renowned artists and speakers, gathered anew each year, provide training for more than 325 arts educators annually in July. The classroom teachers and school administrators who receive training during the TAA Summer Institute directly impact more than 200,000 students the following school year in classrooms all across the nation. Since 1986, the more than 8,000 educators who have participated in Academy programs have touched the lives of over 3 million students. TAA’s advanced curriculum, cutting-edge methodology, and unique philosophical perspective maximize learning at every level of involvement.
The TAA Summer Institute consists of two divisions, one geared to elementary/lower middle school teachers and the other designed for upper middle/high school teachers. Participants in each division may choose a core track of study in music, theatre and dance, or visual art. The Arts Leadership and Administration (ALAA) track is a stand-alone session designed for arts administrators, supervisors and arts teachers. This course seeks to inspire and empower participants to support and advance arts education. The ALAA track offers practical and thought-provoking insight and strategies on national and state policy issues, advocacy and leadership opportunities. A special session entitled Arts Integration, Creative Drama and Movement is designed for elementary/lower middle classroom teachers who wish to learn ways to utilize arts integration techniques throughout the entire curriculum. To round out the offerings, the Trio Track session allows elementary and secondary teachers to attend classes each day in three arts areas - music, theatre and dance, and visual art.
A day at the TAA Summer Institute is varied and stimulating. Two to three sessions per day are spent studying with a faculty of experts from colleges and universities, studios, and workplaces across the United States. In these classes, the latest techniques are applied to instruction that will directly aid participants in their own teaching. In addition, each day features an artistic performance or art exhibition, the Academy's philosophical component called "Musings", and special choice sessions ("Interludes") that vary from day to day.
Throughout the week, special events and networking sessions add interest to the regular schedule. Sunday night features an opening celebration and performance followed by an elegant reception. The day ends on Monday with the official opening of the professional artist exhibition, a special artist talk, and reception. Tuesday afternoon the Arts Academy hosts a reception featuring four exclusive art exhibitions (the professional artist exhibition, Tennessee's Best of the Best Student Art Exhibition, Connections: Tennessee Art Education Association Member Art Exhibition; and STARS: State of Tennessee Art Review and Showcase Exhibition), and an awards ceremony honoring the student and teacher winners of the on-campus art exhibitions. On Tuesday evening, The REEL Deal offers TAA participants the opportunity to enjoy a classic cinema offering, followed by a virtual talkback with one of the film’s prominent personalities. Wednesday night's Academy Awards Banquet honors an outstanding national artist as participants are treated to a festive dinner meal and entertainment. The TAA Arts Expo, Vendor Fair, and Artist Market and a special Ice Cream Social for TAA alumni and friends are held on Thursday afternoon. The Academy week concludes with Friday’s Finale Luncheon, an event which includes a performance by the Academy Chorale as well as words of appreciation, closure and challenge. As participants depart, bittersweet farewells can be heard at the close of the busy but exciting week of study, learning, and networking.
Since its inception, the TAA Summer Institute has reached teachers from all school districts in Tennessee. In 2002 with the addition of the Arts Academy America component, arts educators from outside Tennessee now have the opportunity to become full participants in the TAA Summer Institute experience.
The Tennessee Arts Academy emerged from an expressed need by arts teachers for a staff development program to better meet the needs of a more assessment-based curriculum that emphasizes teacher accountability. Today, the vision for arts education shines brighter throughout Tennessee and the nation because of the ongoing expansion and success of the Tennessee Arts Academy. Teachers who have completed the rigorous training programs offered by TAA are provided with the proper tools and direction to optimize their learning environment. Most importantly, teachers trained at the Tennessee Arts Academy are able to give students the necessary skills and experience that allow them to become more creative and productive members of our work force and society.
Tennessee is truly fortunate to be the home of this one-of-a-kind program that has become the national model for arts-based teacher training initiatives.
Online registration is available at https://taa.hanwi.com/. Registration begins October 1 of each year and runs through June 30.
