Mental Health Training for Teaching Artists: supporting LGBTQ+ youth

This training is hosted at Arts + Literature Laboratory (2021 Winnebago Street) in partnership with Communication and The Bubbler at Madison Public Library; it is made possible from support by New Harvest Foundation and Center for Community Healing. Capped at 40 participants. Sliding scale fee or free. Lunch and snacks provided!

How do we cultivate a safe learning environment? How do we assess safety? This event is the first in a new series of interactive and creative work days intended to deepen our shared practice of conscious teaching; it is designed specifically for community-based teaching artists. During the first session, we will: 1) reflect on our roles as teaching artists, 2) practice immediate intervention strategies for supporting LGBTQ+ youth, and 3) consider how environment, program design, or facilitation influences student well-being. Artists will leave with a supplemental packet of resources, and will have an opportunity to join an online community for continued learning.

This professional development series is intended to strengthen skills and support an ongoing conversation about community mental health; it is not intended to replace comprehensive mental health first aid training. Given how frequently teaching artists are assigned to work in schools, libraries, community centers, and social service agencies—and the high emphasis placed on students' emotional wellness within arts curriculum—filling the gap in mental health training will increase teacher confidence as we facilitate spaces for social-emotional wellbeing. The next mental health training for teaching artists is tentatively scheduled for April 2020, and will include de-escalation strategies. No matter the theme, each training will strengthen skills for any teaching artist ready to reflect on their role in community health.


December 1, 2019 
(Tentative Schedule)

9:30 - 10am: Registration and refreshments

10-10:15a: Welcome

10:15-11a: [T Banks] Keynote

11a-12:15p: [M.Rose Sweetnam] Reflecting on Teaching Artist Roles in community well-being; what do we bring to our work as teaching artists, what are our expectations, and how do our backgrounds or teaching philosophies influence student outcomes?

12:15-1p: Lunch + Community Art Hosted by Dequadray White

1-2:15p: [Sawyer Johnson] Immediate Intervention Strategies for teaching artists supporting LGBTQ youth in one-off or long-term programs; if, when, and how do we connect kids and families to support, directly or indirectly?

2:15-2:30p: Break/Snacks/Reflection Time

2:30-3:45 [Tiffany Lee] Program Design & Curriculum Development for social-emotional well-being; how do program design, environment, or facilitation influence outcomes?

3:45-4:15 Closing: community art reflection, announcements, surveys, and next steps