What is the Milwaukee Arts Education Directory?

The Milwaukee Arts Education Directory is an online tool bridging local artists and arts organizations with Milwaukee Public Schools and community youth-serving organizations. Artists and arts organizations can profile themselves and the arts education programming they offer. Then, local educators can “shop” the directory for artistic programming they may want to implement into their curriculums. The directory can be searched by any or all of five categories: artistic discipline, subject area, program type, grade level, or cultural origin.

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What does it cost to be profiled in the directory? Is there a required membership fee to utilize the directory?

The Directory is a FREE online resource whose sole purpose is to promote and facilitate connectivity within the arts and education communities.

To be profiled in the directory is FREE! Any artist or arts organization can complete an application in order to become profiled in the directory.

Because the directory is open to the public, it is also FREE for educators to search the directory! There’s no membership fee or obligation to book a program.

Of course, the artists and arts organizations charge a fee for their educational programming, should you decide to hire them. Fee structures are displayed as part of their program profile.

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How do I search the Milwaukee Arts Education Directory?

Searching the Directory is easy! From the homepage of the website, you can click on either the colorful “Search” icon or the “Search the Directory” tab at the top of the page. This will direct you to the Directory’s search engine.

You will see next that you can search the Directory by any or all of five categories: Artistic Discipline, Subject Area, Program Type, Grade Level, and Cultural Origin. When your filter selections are finished, click on “Search” and the results will be displayed. You may also Keyword Search by typing a keyword(s) in the line provided and clicking “Go.”

After your results are displayed, you can choose to view a program’s profile by clicking on the program’s title.

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I want to hire one of the artists profiled in the directory—her dance program would compliment my first grade math lessons! How do I get in contact with her?

There are several ways to contact an artist you are interested in hiring. There is a “request more info” icon at the top, right-hand corner of every profile page that, when clicked, offers you the opportunity to send a direct email message to the artist/arts organization. This is a good way to “break the ice” and begin a dialogue, express your interest in the program, or ask the artist or organization a program-related question. Also, an artist or arts organization may have on display within his/her profile pertinent contact information like an email address, a business address, a phone number, and/or a website address. Keep in mind: it is always your responsibility to establish contact with an artist.

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I’ve booked an artist to perform next week. Whom do I pay? Do I have to sign something?

If you have committed to hiring a particular artist, you will pay the artist or arts organization directly for their services. Some artists have set fees while others are open to negotiation. In the course of your negotiations and scheduling, you and the artist should have established a payment plan. Similarly, a contract, should you choose to use one, is the mutual responsibility of you, the hirer, and the artist or organization you are employing.

Remember, the Milwaukee Arts Education Directory is an informational resource and is not a booking agent. We are not responsible for, nor included in, any transactions that may occur from using our service.

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I’m a local photographer and arts educator. How do I create a profile to be included in the directory?

To begin an artist or arts organization application, click on the “Log-in or Create an Account” link from the directory’s homepage. At the bottom of the following page, click the “Create an account” link. From there, you will be asked to provide a valid email address and a password. These will serve as your log-in information hereafter. When you have provided this information, simply click on “Begin Application” to start. You will be directed through the application, step by step, and are encouraged to utilize the supplementary instructions provided for your convenience. Also, you will be able to view a sample profile to see what information is displayed, how it is displayed, and what constitutes a thorough profile.

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What is the difference between an Artist Profile and a Program Profile?

An Artist Profile will be created in the first section of the application. It spotlights you, the artist or organization, as a resume or curriculum vitae might. The Artist Profile includes items like your contact information, educational background, professional experience, and personal statement. This will be included within every Program Profile you create.

A Program Profile is established next and spotlights the arts educational programming you are offering. Here, you will outline, among other things, the events within your program, the materials used, its educational merit, its target population, its fee structures, and the like.

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What if I want to offer multiple programs? Can I do that?

You can create numerous Program Profiles all under one Artist Profile!

Here’s how: Once your Artist Profile has been created, simply log-in to your account and you will arrive directly at your Artist Panel. Click on “Add a new program” to begin building an additional arts program profile.

Adding Program Profiles is recommended not only to those who offer completely different programs, but even to those who offer programs with subtle differences. Consider these examples: a program for high-school students may be modified when targeted toward middle-school students; the focus of a performance program may be expanded when in a three-week long residency. In these examples, you may decide to create separate Program Profiles.

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What are MPS Learning Targets? Why are they an important part of my program profile? Do I have to complete this?

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) offers Learning Targets as a standard for learning so that teachers, parents, and students are all working together with the same goals in mind. These Learning Targets are crucial in maintaining the stability and consistency of curriculums throughout the MPS System. Each grade level, from kindergarten through 12th grade, and each school subject have multiple Learning Targets that identify key lessons for every MPS student.

To show teachers and school administrators that your arts program is educational, you are required to identify how your program demonstrates a minimum of five (5) MPS Learning Targets. See our supplementary instructions for further clarification of how to complete this portion of the application, or view the sample profile containing a demonstration of how to complete the Learning Targets (Sample: “Milwaukee Mitch’s Urban Photography”).

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How do I include a video or photograph to my Program Profile?

Including a photograph, logo, or video is a great way to enliven your Profile and demonstrate your arts program. For these reasons, it is strongly recommended that you include an image in your profile.

To upload a still image like a logo or a photograph at the end of your application, simply click on the “Browse” link to search for an image that is saved on your computer’s hard drive or an external flash drive. Double-click on the image you wish to use, and it will automatically upload on to your profile.

While your profile can only display one image, you have the ability to link to an external electronic photo album by providing the host site’s URL address in the line provided. This allows you the opportunity to share multiple images with a prospective client. Recommended photo sharing sites are included in the supplementary instructions.

If you wish to display a video in your profile, simply provide the YouTube URL address in the line provided. (Note: It is mandatory that you use YouTube to host your video.) The video will be embedded and displayed automatically as your profile’s image. Should you provide both a still image and a video, the video takes precedence and will be the default image on display.

Again, you are encouraged to view the Supplementary Instructions for further guidance with this process, for helpful suggestions and recommended host sites, and for an explanation of permitted photographs and images. These can be found throughout the application.

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How can I increase my chances of getting hired?

While we cannot guarantee that your programming will be popular, we can offer you some suggestions to improve your profile and, hopefully, your chances of steady work. Here are a few:

Be descriptive!
Your Profile is, ultimately, your “sales pitch.” A potential client knows you and your program only as well as you present it. Use the Artist/Arts Organization Profile as you might use a resume or curriculum vitae: be professional and thorough as well as self-promoting. Similarly, compose the Program Profile with the client in mind. Describe your program as you would describe it to someone who has never experienced it before. Outline the course of events, the materials used or shared, and even your expectations or goals. Use expressive and engaging language in the application while remembering to include the all-important “nuts and bolts” of your programming.

Be accessible!
While it is important to be descriptive of your program’s blueprint, it can also help to demonstrate that you/your program are flexible to a client’s wishes. You might include in your program’s description a statement denoting your willingness to “customize” your program to a particular client, classroom, or school curriculum. This may demonstrate to a potential client your eagerness to work in schools, your ability to collaborate, and the breadth of your arts programming. Understandably, some programs (particularly performances) have a pre-determined “script” and cannot deviate too much. Nonetheless, it can be beneficial for you to demonstrate an openness for discussion, negotiation, and collaboration.

Tidy up!
During the application process, you will be able to view your profile as if it was registered and displayed in the Directory. Look for awkward spacing or line breaks that inhibit the “clean” look of your profile. Be sure that your image or video is displayed as you had intended. And, of course, check your spelling and grammar! Remember, after you have completed your Artist/Arts Organization Profile, you can always log-on to edit, update, and delete any part of any profile from your Artist Panel.

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