Teaching Artists Connect
​Mentorship Program

Triangular wooden button painted in rainbow colors displays the words Trust the ProcessTriangular wooden button painted in rainbow colors displays the words Trust the Process
The Teaching Artists Connect Mentorship Program supports teaching artists at the beginning of their careers and those entering the field in expanding their teaching skills, learning from teaching artist experts, and working with a variety of diverse populations across the region.
 
Through a hybrid program of in-person and virtual learning, the program offers:
  • Multiple professional development workshops with experienced teaching artists over several months
  • Opportunities to observe experienced teaching artists in a school or community setting
  • Monthly meetings with mentors
  • Access to an asynchronous learning guide to work on at your own pace
  • Options to design a lesson and/or unit plan to use in school or community sessions
  • An opportunity to lead a workshop for mentees and mentors with constructive feedback
  • Support in applying to regional teaching artist rosters
  • An ongoing network of community support with other mentees
 
In addition to a stipend and travel reimbursement, mentees receive a paid multi-day residency at their end of the program.
If you are interested in learning more or would like to discuss hosting a mentorship program in partnership with Teaching Artists Connect, please get in touch through the Contact page.
TAC and Arts Access tote bagTAC and Arts Access tote bag
​In 2022, Teaching Artists Connect launched their pilot program in partnership with Arts Access to offer a 4-month mentorship program to artists and teaching artist with disabilities. Our six teaching artists were:

Suzanne Adair: literary arts teaching artist

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Suzanne Adair is a teaching artist whose disciplines are the literary arts and creative writing. Published since 2006, she's an award winning novelist of historical mystery, and she makes presentations and conducts workshops on history and writing. She's a recipient of a Professional Development Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. In her spare time, she participates in hands-on living history as a Revolutionary War reenactor.
Learn more at http://www.SuzanneAdair.net/ Image shows a headshot of Suzanne Adair. 

Haley DeLorme: visual teaching artist

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​Haley DeLorme is a visual artist whose practice includes painting and other creative interests.  She has experience in supporting a diverse population of children and families, including those facing challenging circumstances such as hospitalization, military life, trauma, or special needs. She uses creativity as a tool for developmental  growth, play, education, and as a healthy coping strategy.
​She holds her B.S. in Human Environmental Sciences, focusing on Human Development and Family studies from The University of Alabama. Image shows a headshot of Haley DeLorme. ​

Danielle Fenton: theater teaching artist

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Danielle Fenton is a performing artist, singer, writer, and director. She teaches beginning
through advanced acting, improvisation, scene study, audition techniques to all children and
adults. Danielle trained and performed professionally in New York City and was also a standup comic. She also works with students in developing their own material, and finding their voice in humor, including working on comedy routines. She has three sons and lives in Carborro. NC. Image shows a headshot of Danielle Fenton.​

Phoebe Granderson: visual teaching artist

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​Phoebe Granderson is a mixed media artist who picked up a paint brush at the age of six and is still being creative over 50 years later. She is a disabled navy veteran who loves to serve her community and has worked with many non-profit organizations over the years. She also really enjoys working with veteran organizations, such as the veteran’s art therapy program and the Joel Fund-Operation Art for veterans. Phoebe is the CEO of Phoebe’s Heavenly DeSigns, LLC. in Raleigh, NC. Her desire is to teach art classes after finishing her teaching artist mentorship program this summer with Teaching Artists Connect. Image shows a headshot of Phoebe Granderson.​

Alexander Roa

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​Alexander Roa is a self-taught origami artist who has taught his craft at festivals and museums in the past. He has also had art on display at different local galleries. Alexander started doing origami at the age of four after his parents bought him a paper airplane book that had instructions for an origami crane in the back.
Image shows a headshot of Alexander Roa.​

Sydnee Yates

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Sydnee Yates is a painter, dancer, writer, and, altogether, creator who likes to make things look pretty. She has a degree in Non-Fiction Creative Writing from UNC-Asheville, is a represented artist by a company called ArtLifting, and has also been showcased in several places in the Triangle. She adores kitties of all shapes, colors, and sizes. She is firm in the belief that there is no way to angrily say the word "bubbles".
Image shows a headshot of Sydnee Yates.
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About Arts Access:
The mission of Arts Access is to enable North Carolinians with disabilities to have full access to arts programs and facilities, and to encourage them to participate fully in the rich cultural and artistic life throughout the state.

For more information, contact: Arts Access
Tel: (919) 833-9919
https://artsaccessinc.org/