Question 1

Do I need to be an art major or have teaching experience to join?

Accepted Answer

No prior teaching experience is required. Student-teachers come from all majors. Weekly training sessions teach you curriculum development, classroom management, and how to address educational inequities, and local professional artists mentor you in your specific discipline.

Question 2

What do I actually do as a student-teacher?

Accepted Answer

You design your own lesson plans and teach 1-2 classes per week at a local school or community center, paired with a teaching partner. You also attend weekly group training sessions where you share experiences and learn from professional teaching artists.

Question 3

What do members gain beyond teaching experience?

Accepted Answer

Members get mentorship from East Bay professional artists in their discipline, gain experience in arts education with elementary and middle schoolers, participate in a semesterly arts magazine (zine) publication, and connect with a community of Cal students interested in art and civic engagement.

Question 4

Where do student-teachers actually teach?

Accepted Answer

Sites include Berkeley public schools (Cragmont Elementary, Sylvia Mendez Elementary, Washington Elementary, Berkeley Arts Magnet, Berkeley Maynard Academy), community centers like Berkeley Youth Alternatives, and a housing project for formerly homeless adults.

Question 5

Is CREATE a volunteer program or a paid position?

Accepted Answer

All student-teachers are volunteers. CREATE provides free after-school arts enrichment to underserved schools and communities that lack arts funding, and no compensation is mentioned.

Creative Residencies for Emerging Artists Teaching Empowerment