2026-2027 Teaching Artist in Residency (TAR) Program
Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Teaching Artist in Residency (TAR) Program!
The Teaching Artist in Residency (TAR) Program is an initiative at GlassRoots designed to support Teaching Artists serving the greater Newark community and surrounding areas. TARs become an integral part of the GlassRoots teaching team, gaining hands-on experience in glass arts education while contributing to youth programming, creative exploration, and community engagement.
Prior glassworking experience is not required; however, teaching experience is essential. GlassRoots will provide the opportunity for TARs to learn and develop glassworking techniques alongside experienced Glass Artists and members of the GlassRoots teaching team. TARs will lead a team of Glass Artists in facilitating student learning while also exploring how glassmaking can expand and inform their own artistic and teaching practice.
The position includes financial compensation for teaching as well as access to the GlassRoots facility to develop and produce one’s own creative work. GlassRoots will provide the Teaching Artist in Residence with several hours of studio time each week and limited on-site storage.
In exchange, the TAR will serve as a Teaching Artist for the Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit (YES) Program, working collaboratively with the GlassRoots Teaching Team to provide youth with hands-on arts education, creative exploration and opportunities to develop professional and entrepreneurial skills. The TAR will play an active role in creating a supportive, engaging learning environment while building their own skills and practice as a teaching artist.
Teaching Artist in Residency commitment and responsibilities:
- Teach the YES Program once a week for 3 hours at an hourly rate
- Assist in developing the YES Program
- Be available for related meetings, tours, and shows
- Assist participants with a final presentation
- Commit to the entire run of the YES Program: a 12-15 week semester
- Restrict your personal work time to standard business hours (9am- 9pm)
To Apply:
The Winter 2027 application is due by November 30, 2026. Both YES and TAR Programs will run from January – June 2027. The YES program is held afterschool on Thursdays from 3:30 – 5:30pm.
Please submit a brief letter of interest, 5 -10 samples of your work (or a link to work samples) and a teaching CV to GlassRoots Program Director, Michelle Knox: mknox@glassroots.org
Priority is given to emerging and established artists with relevant teaching experience, a track record of proven community engagement and/or a rich exhibition history.
FAQs
What is the Teaching Artist in Residency (TAR) Program?
The TAR Program is an initiative at GlassRoots designed to support Teaching Artists who want to serve the greater Newark community and surrounding areas while expanding their creative and teaching practice.
TARs become an integral part of the GlassRoots Teaching Team, working alongside experienced glass artists and educators to provide meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for youth.
Do I need prior glassworking experience?
No. Prior glassworking experience is not required.
GlassRoots will provide opportunities for the TAR to learn glassworking techniques and become familiar with the studio, equipment, and safety practices alongside experienced Glass Artists.
What is required is a strong background in teaching or working with youth and an interest in learning how glass can become part of your teaching and creative practice.
Do I need to be a professional glass artist?
No. The TAR does not need to be an experienced glass artist.
This residency is designed for teaching artists who are interested in expanding their practice by learning glassmaking while bringing their existing artistic, educational and youth-development skills to GlassRoots.
What will I be teaching?
The TAR will serve as a Teaching Artist for the Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit (YES) Program, working with Newark-area youth through hands-on arts education, creative exploration and professional development.
The TAR will collaborate with GlassRoots staff and Glass Artists to develop and facilitate engaging learning experiences.
Will I be teaching glass?
The TAR will help introduce students to glassmaking and other creative processes as part of the YES Program.
You will not be expected to arrive as a glass expert. You will learn alongside the GlassRoots team and gradually incorporate glass techniques into your teaching practice.
Will I be responsible for other Glass Artists?
Yes. An important part of the TAR role is learning to lead and collaborate with a team of glass artists while facilitating student learning.
The TAR will help coordinate teaching activities, communicate with the teaching team and create a cohesive learning environment for students.
What teaching experience is required?
Teaching experience is required. Experience working with youth, teens, young adults, community-based programs, arts education or similar educational settings is strongly encouraged.
GlassRoots is looking for Teaching Artists who are comfortable creating engaging learning environments and supporting young people through hands-on experiences.
What does the TAR receive?
The position includes:
- Financial compensation for teaching
- Several hours of studio time each week
- Access to the GlassRoots facility and equipment
- Limited on-site storage
- Opportunities to learn glassworking techniques
- Mentorship and collaboration with experienced Glass Artists and Teaching Artists
- Experience working within a professional community arts organization
- Opportunities to expand your teaching and creative practice
Can I use GlassRoots to make my own artwork?
Yes. One of the benefits of the TAR Program is access to the GlassRoots facility to develop and produce your own creative work.
Studio access is provided for several hours each week, subject to scheduling and facility availability.
What is the YES Program?
The Youth Entrepreneurial Spirit (YES) Program is a GlassRoots High School-aged youth program focused on creative exploration, hands-on arts education and professional and entrepreneurial development.
TARs work as part of the GlassRoots Teaching Team to support youth as they develop creative skills, confidence and professional practices.
Will I be working alone?
No. Collaboration is a central part of the TAR experience.
You will work with GlassRoots Staff, Glass Artists, Teaching Artists and youth participants. The goal is to create a team-based teaching environment where you can learn while contributing your own expertise.
What if I have never worked in a glass studio?
That is okay. No prior glass studio experience is required.
GlassRoots will introduce you to the facility, equipment, safety procedures and appropriate glassworking techniques. You will learn alongside experienced glass artists before incorporating new techniques into your teaching.
What makes a successful TAR?
A successful TAR is:
- An experienced and thoughtful educator
- Experienced in entrepreneurial concepts
- Comfortable working with youth
- Collaborative and open to learning
- Interested in expanding their creative practice
- Reliable and organized
- Willing to work as part of a teaching team
- Curious about glass and hands-on making
- Committed to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment
Is the TAR expected to already know everything about glass?
Absolutely not.
The program is intentionally structured to allow a Teaching Artist to learn glassmaking while teaching and developing their own practice. The TAR brings teaching expertise to GlassRoots; GlassRoots provides the environment, mentorship, equipment, and opportunity to develop glassworking skills.
How is this different from a traditional artist residency?
The TAR Program combines teaching, professional development, community engagement, and studio access.
Rather than focusing solely on producing artwork, the TAR becomes an active member of the GlassRoots teaching team and contributes directly to youth programming while developing their own creative practice.
What is the time commitment?
The TAR will have a defined teaching commitment through the YES Program for 1.5 of direct instructional hours a week during weekday after school hours 4 – 5:30 , along with scheduled studio access and participation as part of the GlassRoots teaching team.
Specific teaching hours, studio hours, and residency dates will be established with the selected candidate.
Who should apply?
This opportunity is ideal for a Teaching Artist, educator, maker, artist, designer or creative practitioner who:
Has teaching experience, enjoys working with youth, wants to learn glassmaking, and is interested in becoming part of the GlassRoots community.
You do not need to know glass. You need to know how to teach.