Applicationsareopenforthe
TeachingArtistCertificateprogram
Media Contact:
Angela Thomas, 201.503.1333, AThomas@njpac.org
Nora Luongo, eluongo@newark.rutgers.edu
Calling all artists! Applications are open:
Teaching Artist Certificate program
June 29 – July 24, 2026
NJPAC and Rutgers University–Newark return to train artists in the foundations of teaching
Artists, college students and change-of-career individuals with a creative practice are invited to expand their work through this unique partnership between the Arts Center and the University
February 23, 2026 – Newark, NJ – The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and Rutgers University–Newark (RU-N) will offer a second session of their Teaching Artist Certificate program from June 29 to July 24.
The program provides artists and those seeking a career change with the pedagogical skills and business know-how required to launch a practice as a teaching artist in schools, community centers, arts organizations and other settings. Candidates with a creative practice in dance, music, theater and playwriting are encouraged to apply.
Classes take place Monday to Friday from 9:30AM – 4:30PM (the week of July 13 – 17 they begin at 8:30AM) on the Newark campuses of NJPAC and RU-N. There will be five days of virtual learning.
Through a combination of theory, coursework, fieldwork, networking opportunities and reflective evaluation, students gain personal and professional development that will prepare them to use the arts to foster social and emotional growth in classrooms, in their communities and beyond.
“We see the growing popularity of creative activities in hospitals, libraries, corporations and community centers,” says Jennifer Tsukayama, Vice President, Arts Education at NJPAC. “Often, teaching artists are the ones leading these activities and our certificate program is teaching best practices for those in the field.”
The curriculum emphasizes culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices and is led by NJPAC teaching artists, faculty from the Urban Education Department at RU-N and nationally-recognized experts including author and teaching artist Eric Booth.
“We are excited to be offering a second year of the program in a fruitful partnership with NJPAC,” says Lynnette Mawhinney, Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Academic Initiatives at Rutgers University–Newark. “Our inaugural class is able to apply practical skills to the field and with our second cohort, we are continuing to expand the pipeline for teaching artistry.”
Candidates will gain hands-on experience by working with young artists enrolled in NJPAC’s summer arts program.
A resume, personal video statement and a sample of creative work are required for the Teaching Artist Certificate application. The application deadline is March 27, 2026, and applicants will be notified of their acceptance via email on a rolling basis.
Tuition for the certificate program is $1,500. For more information and to apply, visit njpac.org/teaching-artist-certificate.
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About NJPAC
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is the most diverse performing arts center in the country, and the anchor cultural institution for both the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey. It is an artistic, cultural, educational and civic center where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC Arts & Well-Being develops initiatives and programs that amplify the health benefits of the arts and measure the Arts Center’s impact on community health and well-being. NJPAC has attracted more than 12.7 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit njpac.org for more information.
About Rutgers University–Newark
Rutgers University–Newark (RU-N) is a diverse, urban, public research university that is an anchor institution in New Jersey’s cultural capital. It is exceptionally well positioned to fulfill higher education’s promise as an engine of discovery, innovation, and social mobility. It has a remarkable legacy of producing high-impact scholarship that is connected to the great questions and challenges of the world. It is in and of a city and region where its work on local challenges undertaken with partners from many sectors resonates powerfully throughout our urbanizing world. Most importantly, RU-N brings an incredible diversity of people to this work—students, faculty, staff, and community partners—making it more innovative, more creative, more engaging, and more relevant for our time and the times ahead.