Young Audiences Arts for Learning is very pleased to announce the newest recipients of its National Teaching Artist Credential (TAC), a national initiative that articulates what high-quality arts-based instruction looks like in K-12 school-based residencies and formally endorses teaching artists who embody excellence in four competency areas: Artistry, Instruction, Preparation & Planning, and Community.
Following a rigorous application and adjudication process, ten outstanding teaching artists have earned the credential during the 2025-2026 TAC application cycle:
- Pablo Contrisciani - Arts for Learning Maimi
- Sandra Griffin - Springboard to Learning (St. Louis, MO)
- Ali Hardy - Young Audiences New York
- Lily He - Young Audiences of Houston
- Kia Neill: Think 360 Arts for Learning (Denver, CO)
- Mark Pagano - Springboard to Learning (St. Louis, MO)
- Jennifer Puig - Arts for Learning Miami
- Shelly Svonavec - Center for Arts-Inspired Learning (Cleveland, OH)
- April Zay - Young Audiences NJ & Eastern PA
- Amelia Zontini - Arts for Learning Virginia
The TAC initiative was conceived by a working group of representatives from the Young Audiences network and developed in collaboration with an advisory committee of experts in the field of arts education. The program has been piloted over a two-year period beginning in Fall 2017, with a total of 57 teaching artists from across the Young Audiences network earning the credential since its inception.
For the latest information on the TAC initiative, please visit: www.youngaudiences.org/TAC.
