Guide for Hiring Highly-Qualified Arts Educators

Content originally researched, developed, and published in 2018.

Strengthen Your Arts Program with a Good Hire

Recruiting and hiring arts educators presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities for school administrators. Whether you are seeking a visual arts teacher, a dance educator, a music instructor, or a theatre teacher, the right hire can profoundly impact your school's culture and students' lives. 

The BYU ARTS Partnership, along with the professional arts education organization in Utah (UMEA, UAEA, UDEO, and UACTT), have created a guide that outlines key strategies and considerations to ensure you find the best leaders for your arts programs. The “Hiring Arts Educators” handbook can help administrators hire candidates who not only excel in their art forms but also thrive as educators. The following is a summary of the Hiring Guide; access the full guide here: Hiring Arts Educators.

Involve Current Arts Educators

When hiring a new arts educator, it’s crucial to involve your existing art teachers in the process. Their current expertise allows them to assess the artistic abilities of applicants and provide insights specific to the position. Additionally, involving them demonstrates the candidate's potential compatibility with the current team, fostering a collaborative and cohesive department.

Review Artistic and Pedagogical Portfolios

Request a portfolio showcasing the candidate's artwork. This portfolio should reveal their skill level, media preferences, and artistic style. This is great information to consider when making your decision. Remember, strong educators may not always be the strongest artists, and vice versa. It's important to find a balance of both qualities. 

Widen Pool of Candidates

Utilize professional organizations and university connections to widen your candidate pool beyond word-of-mouth recommendations. UMEA, UDEO, UACTT, and UAEA are happy to post your opening in their professional forums.

Observe Candidates Teach

Observation is a critical step in the hiring process. Watch candidates teach a sample lesson or rehearsal to assess their student-centered approaches, curriculum commitment, and classroom presence. This will provide a clearer picture of their practical skills and how they interact with students.

Ask the Right Interview Questions

The Hiring Guide offers MANY questions you might consider for an interview with an arts educator and includes questions specifically for dance, theatre, music, and visual arts candidates. A few examples of general questions that apply to all art forms are found below.

• How do you encourage and develop creativity and self-expression in students?
• How do you adapt your teaching to meet the multicultural needs of your classroom?
• What are your most important considerations when choosing content for your students?
• Describe a lesson plan that integrates intellectual, emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

Final Thoughts on Hiring Arts Educators

Hiring the right arts educators requires a careful balance of artistic talent, teaching ability, and interpersonal skills. By involving current educators, thoroughly evaluating portfolios and references, and observing candidates in action, school administrators can make informed decisions that enrich their arts programs and inspire their students.

For more detailed guidance for building an arts-rich school, download the Arts-Rich School Handbook, which covers everything from hiring educators to producing student performances and exhibitions. This resource is a crucial tool for any school looking to enhance its arts programs and foster a vibrant, creative culture and community.