COMPAS Teaching Artists connect with community members through performances, workshops, residencies, professional development, and more. Programs take place throughout the state during school hours, after school, during the evening and on weekends. Locations include schools, libraries, older adult living communities, parks and rec centers, youth program sites and other community settings.

We keep an open application to grow our teaching artist roster, with application review once a year, generally late summer.

Application Review Process Described:

The roster application documents include a cover letter, resume, work samples, work sample descriptions, and a sample lesson plan (for performance-only applicants, this can be a description of what makes your performance educational or interactive). Once an artist has submitted the required information, the process consists of an initial round of consideration by COMPAS program staff, followed by finalists having a face-to-face interview with our Arts Advisory Committee consisting of community partners, artists, students, and COMPAS staff. If recommended by the committee, incoming artists then attend a New Artist Orientation, followed by individual training meetings with COMPAS staff, as needed. 

Desired Qualifications

While we are open to a wide variety of artistic approaches and backgrounds, artists with the following criteria have a higher chance of being interviewed:

• Minnesota resident
• Demonstrated dedication to an artistic practice
• Prior teaching artist experience (ideally 3-5+ years)
• Ability to fill a gap on the COMPAS roster
• Demonstrated ability to model, breakdown, explain, and customize projects within their artform

Note: Teaching Artist base pay starts at $75 with possible additional pay toward prep, planning, cartage, etc.; Performers pay is variable and negotiated with artist/artist groups.

Note: Hiring is contingent upon completing a Criminal Background Check

COMPAS Spoken Word Showcase

COMPAS is looking for youth in grades 7 to 12 who are interested in participating in a unique spoken word concert.

Participation includes a free workshop with COMPAS spoken word artist Frank Sentwali, a rehearsal, and a professional showcase for the community at the Capri Theater (2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis, MN 55411).

10-12 young artists will be selected from the applications received.

Sharing your work:

Please submit up to 2 spoken word pieces (a video file is preferred, but a Word doc or PDF attachment is accepted). You must include a short artist statement/bio with your name, school name, and grade. 

Timeline:

Deadline to Submit Work: May 17 at 11:59 p.m.

Submission Review: May 18-19

Lineup Decided and Young Artists Notified: May 20, 2025

Workshop with COMPAS Teaching Artist Frank Sentwali: May 27, 6:00-8:00 p.m., location TBD

Dress Rehearsal at location TBD: May 28, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Showcase at the Capri Theater: May 29, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. (participants arrive at 5:30 p.m.)

This program is a partnership between COMPAS and the Capri Theater. If transportation is a barrier, contact brittany@compas.org.