Hire US – How can I Hire One of the Artists?

First, visit our Artist Directory to learn more about the Teaching Artists in our community.

If you discover an immediate alignment with one of the artists, you can click the contact link at the bottom of their artist profile page with your contact information, particular needs (Grade levels interested, Residency/Workshop/Assembly Performance/After School Event, etc).

If you would like to learn more about the project and have questions about how to decide on the best fit, email us, and we will get back to you.

Two Ways To Join Us

1. Member-at-Large

Anyone involved in the arts education community who would like to be part of this teaching artist-led initiative is warmly welcome to join.

Annual Membership Plan

$25.00 Individual; $30.00 Ensemble/Organization

All members-at-large are processed immediately after signing up. If you face financial barriers to affording membership, scholarship memberships are available upon request and based on funding ability. Email us for more information.

Member-at-Large Benefits

• Access to Resource Library, which includes recordings of professional development workshops and other resources.
• Receive focused time during members-only office hours, specifically in the first hour of each session.
• Membership listing on our Kinship Teaching Artists website
• Opportunities to meet, collaborate, and network at gatherings centered on fostering community in our arts education field.

If you are ready to join, click the button below.

2. Teaching Artist Directory Member

We recognize that teaching artists operate in diverse settings, and schools are just one of the many important spaces where our work takes place. Currently our directory primarily focuses on teaching artists active in school environments within the Portland Metro and adjacent Metro districts. This focus stems from our concerted advocacy efforts to establish connections with school partnerships. If you’re interested in joining our teaching artist directory, please apply. Applications will be reviewed within four weeks from being received.

Teaching Artist Directory Benefits

• Your profile will be included in our marketing and advocacy efforts to connect with schools and organizations about the work of teaching artists in our roster. 
• Profile inclusion in our Kinship Teaching Artists Directory
• A profile page that you can edit and update at any time.
• Mentorship for creating your profile, which includes 1-2 peer-centered sessions to help develop your directory page content.
• Administrative support for booking, contracts, and payment distribution for the 2025-26 school year provided by Northwest Children’s Theater.
• Authorization for background checks to obtain a PPS badge provided by Northwest Children’s Theater.

Teaching Artist Directory Eligibility

• Current Kinship Teaching Artist Member-at-Large (can sign-up after acceptance to directory)
• Previous experience teaching or performing in at least 3 different school settings.
• An educational program such as a single session workshop, residency or in school performance that you are ready to offer.
• Eligible to work in a school setting (all teaching artists must pass a background check through the Oregon Department of Education and each partnering school district).
• Able to obtain necessary insurance for contract requirements, as needed.

Information needed to join our Teaching Artist Directory

• List three (or more) schools you have worked as a teaching artist.
• Are you available during the 2025/26 school year to teach within the Portland Metro and adjacent Metro districts.
• Educational programs are you ready to offer in schools? (example residency, workshop, assembly).
• A lesson plan for the workshop, residency or description of a performance that you have used to work with a school. (You will be able to share this as an attachment when you apply).

Teaching Artist Directory Selection Criteria

On a monthly basis, the Kinship Teaching Artists leadership team reviews teaching artist applications, keeping in mind the following criteria: 

• Fulfill basic eligibility requirements
• Demonstrating readiness to be successful working independently in a fast-paced school environment through the lesson plan submitted as well as the artist’s performance description and their school list.

Upon notification of acceptance you will be asked to complete your Directory Profile online.

Ready to Apply? Click the Button below to start filling out the Google Form Application.

If you have questions about becoming a member or becoming a part of the Teaching Artist Directory, contact us, and we will get back to you.