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

EMERGING YOUNG ARTISTS PROGRAM

EYA is an juried art show opportunity for young artists in Saint Paul and the East Metro. The exhibition aims to showcase the talent of young artists in the area, provide young artists feedback from local professional artists, and encourage young artists to continue their creative work.

The 2025 show will be at the Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul from March 6-April 15, 2025. It will showcase up to 100 pieces of artwork and kick off with an opening celebration and awards ceremony.

If you are an artist in grades 7-12 living in, or going to school in, Saint Paul or the East Metro, please send us your work! You can submit photos or time based media files of your work below. If you have any questions or concerns about the application materials please email emrys@compas.org, or call (651) 292-3215.
 

Sharing your work:
Please submit up to 3 art pieces in any category.  You must include an artist statement with them that includes your name, school name, and grade. Please do not exceed 1.5 typed pages. 

Categories:
   1) Ceramics
   2) Drawing
   3) Metal Arts/Jewelry
   4) Mixed Media
   5) Painting
   6) Photography
   7) Prints
   8) 3-D
   9) Textile
   10) Graphic Arts/Digital Photography
   11) New Media/Video/Animation 

2025 Timeline

Deadline to Submit Artwork: Jan 24, 2025

Jury of Local Professional Artists Review Submissions: Jan 31-Feb 8, 2025

Artworks Selected: Feb 9, 2025

Artists Notified: Feb 14, 2025

Artworks Picked up At Schools: Feb 24-25, 2025

Gallery Show Opening Event: March 6, 2025

Gallery Show: March 6-April 15, 2025 

Artworks Taken Down and Returned: April 18-21, 2025
 

COMPAS Spoken Word Showcase

COMPAS is looking for youth ages 12-17 who are interested in being a part of 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 Dayton's Bluff Recreation Center 800 Conway St. St. Paul MN 55106

10-12 young artists will be selected from 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 also is accepted).  You must include a short artist statement/bio that includes your name, school name, and age. 

Timeline:

Deadline to Submit Work: Jan 13, 2025

Submission Review: Jan 14-19, 2025

Lineup Decided and Young Artists Notified: Jan 20, 2025

Workshop with COMPAS Teaching Artist Frank Sentwali: TBD (young artists in the showcase will be notified ahead of time)

Dress Rehearsal at Dayton's Bluff: Jan 30, 2025 5:30pm

Showcase at Dayton's Bluff: Jan 31, 2025 5:30pm

This showcase is in partnership with St. Paul Parks and Recreation. If transportation is a barrier reach out to Frank@compas.org.