For over 70 years, Young Audiences Arts for Learning has dedicated itself to engaging young people in innovative arts learning experiences. We intend to foster creativity, self-expression, cultural understanding, and other skills for success in school, work, and beyond. We do this in part by co-creating professional development opportunities for Teaching Artists and program staff who are on the ground working with students via rich and nourishing art experiences.

Over the past four years, our teaching artists have been at the heart of RAISE—Responsive Arts in School Education—a groundbreaking, five-year, multi-state initiative funded by the Department of Education. This flagship program addresses the pressing needs of today’s young learners by pioneering a collaborative model for teaching artists and school support teams. Together, we’ve built dynamic, customized, and student-centered arts education experiences that are healing-focused, culturally responsive, and designed to sustain meaningful impact. Through residencies and professional learning opportunities, RAISE has become a space where creativity meets empowerment.

In our online RAISE learning community, teaching artists have shared vibrant conversations about their practices, collaborations, and intentions. These exchanges have sparked innovation, deep reflection, and a shared commitment to transforming the arts in education.

As a celebration of this journey, we are proud to introduce Artists Teaching Artists: A Conversation Series. In this podcast, we reconnect with our teaching artists to delve deeper into their artistry, exploring the philosophies and insights they’ve developed throughout RAISE. Together, we’ll discuss timely topics within our network, uncover lessons learned, and highlight the evolving role of arts education in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future.