This brochure describes the NorCal Arts Teaching Artist Certification Program for the 2026-2027 cohort. It outlines the curriculum, who should apply, certification requirements, program format, and a full training calendar with dates for in-person and virtual sessions.
This brochure introduces the NorCal Arts Teaching Artist Certification Program for the 2026-2027 cohort. It is aimed at emerging and established artists, including actors, dancers, musicians, visual artists, college students, and arts leaders, who want to become certified arts educators. No prior classroom teaching experience is required, but participants must meet all training and field-experience requirements.
The program covers key topics such as California Arts Standards in Action, lesson planning and implementation, classroom management, student engagement, arts integration, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, inclusive instruction, assessment, and professional teaching artist practices. Participants move from artist to certified teaching artist to professional teaching artist to arts educator.
Certification requires 200 hours working with students, 12 lesson plans created and implemented, 5 teaching demonstrations, and one Sac State T-Cred advising appointment. Teaching demonstrations are scheduled monthly from January through May, with observations, reflection, and feedback throughout.
Training is delivered through Saturday in-person sessions from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at 2030 W. El Camino Avenue and Monday virtual sessions from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Zoom. The calendar lists specific dates from October 2026 through May 2027, including the five teaching demonstration months.
Participants gain real-world practice by creating and implementing complete lesson plans and documenting their hours with students. The program emphasizes practical application, mentorship, and professional growth in arts education.