“NETAC is the right vision at the right time to answer the needs for community cohesion and revitalization with the right skills—teaching artistry.”
— Participant at the Vermont Gathering
Mission
NETAC’s mission is to build regional capacity to develop thriving communities by preparing teaching artists to serve as catalysts who activate creative potential and foster partnerships with educators, organizations and community groups.
NETAC is a Collective Impact initiative serving the six New England states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
NETAC’s Leadership Team guides the efforts of Working Groups with support from a Backbone Organization, the Community Engagement Lab.
Vision
To achieve its mission, NETAC will:
Model the equitable and inclusive practices that foster well-being and social justice.
Create a rigorous teaching artist professional learning program that builds and promotes exemplary models of school and community partnerships that foster thriving communities.
Build a teaching artist collaborative that increases sustainability, visibility and the continually-improving practice of the field.
Foster broad support and participation in creative projects that strengthen the well-being of youth, families, and communities.
Strategic Framework
During planning sessions in 2022-23, NETAC’s Founding Steering Committee explored the obstacles to success and the available resources and opportunities in New England for supporing teaching artists as catalysts who foster thriving communities.
This work resulted in a Strategic Framework, which serves as the foundation for creating the full strategic plan that the Leadership Team and Working Groups will develop in 2024-2025.
Thriving Communities
NETAC supports teaching artists as community catalysts who develop thriving communities.
But what do we mean by thriving communities?
A “thriving” community doesn’t mean that residents never have difficulties. It means that any difficulties are accompanied by access to well-being, which comprises:
RELATIONSHIPS – individuals feel seen, heard and valued; a sense of belonging
SUPPORT – individuals feel people have their back
ENGAGEMENT – individuals feel a part of something bigger than themselves
Thanks to Tasha Golden for inspiring this definition of thriving communities and well-being.
