The Hudson Valley Writers Center’s Writers Express Teaching Artist Internship Program is a comprehensive paid training for emerging writers studying Creative Writing or an arts-related field at a Westchester-based University. We are currently accepting applications from candidates who desire to gain skills in facilitating literary arts workshops. Only applicants based in Westchester County during the Fall 2024 academic semester are eligible to apply.
The Writers Express Afterschool Program is a new outreach initiative designed to bring tuition-free literary programming to youth in Westchester County. Pairs of Teaching Artist Interns will lead weekly 1 hour creative writing after school sessions for middle school students at the White Plains Middle School. This paid professional development opportunity will aid Interns in generating income in the arts post-graduation by offering interactive, in-person experience facilitating a youth program and sufficient experience to submit proposals to nonprofits nationwide.
Teaching Artist Interns will work closely with The Hudson Valley Writers Center Youth Programs Coordinator to apply their current knowledge in poetry, prose, or dramatic writing into their lesson plans. They will complete an initial in-person training to review lesson planning, classroom management, and setting achievable goals for their students. Once the semester begins, Teaching Artist Interns will meet weekly via Zoom with the Youth Programs Coordinator to check in, review lesson plans for the week, and troubleshoot concerns. The Teaching Artist Interns will establish concrete goals for the middle school students early on in the semester, and tailor creative activities to build toward those goals. Goals may include shaping skills in public speaking and performing, active listening, constructing feedback, collaborative writing, and more. Although workshop activities will vary based on the Interns’ preferred genres, the framework of creating student goals and lesson plan structure will remain consistent. All interns will undergo a background check, and complete a basic first-aid training prior to entering the school building.
Strong Teaching Artist Internship candidates will be 1) energetic and cheerful, 2) eager to work with youth from various backgrounds and skill sets, 3) committed to continually improving their teaching practice, 4) committed to the art of collaboration and experimenting with other co-facilitators in order to develop quality and innovative workshops 5) based in Westchester County during the Fall 2024 academic semester.
Applications for the Fall 2024 Semester are now closed. Please check in soon for the Spring 2025 Application Cycle!
This LitNYS project is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.