ArtistYear

ArtistYear's mission is to address inequities in K-12 education through creative learning. Founded in 2017 as an AmeriCorps organization, ArtistYear develops, supports, and places recent higher-education arts graduates across artistic disciplines – including musicians, actors, creative writers, dancers, designers, filmmakers, and visual artists – at high-need schools as full-time Resident Teaching Artists (RTAs).

The AMFS and ArtistYear Partnership

Since 2017, ArtistYear and AMFS have partnered to support arts education instruction for K-12 students in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. RTAs are placed in public school classrooms in Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs and in the AMFS after-school music education programs, which include Beginning Strings, Chamber Music Lab, Lead Guitar (classical), and Maroon Bel Canto Choirs. During their ArtistYear, RTAs reach and develop relationships with hundreds of students each week, sharing the gift of music with children.

Says Alan Fletcher, AMFS President and CEO, “The ArtistYear AmeriCorps members who have joined us over the years are bringing to this community both the talent and the intention to make children’s lives better through art. We support this for our local families and also are proud to be a part of this program as it develops for all the other communities who will benefit from ArtistYear as it continues to grow nationally.”

AMFS ArtistYear positions are filled on a rolling basis for the upcoming school year, from August through June. Full program information and application requirements can be found at artistyear.org.

The Roaring Fork Valley Resident Teaching Artists

During the 2024-25 school year, vocalists Madisen Ciesielski and Madison McCutcheon are placed as full-time resident teaching artists at Basalt Elementary School and Basalt High School respectively, increasing access to arts education in the Roaring Fork School District. They also direct ensembles in the Maroon Bel Canto Children’s Chorus and Singers divisions in Basalt and Carbondale, Colorado, and have engagements with the Aspen Art Museum and the Belly Up Aspen live music venue.

Photo Caption: From left to right, Aspen-based resident teaching artists Madison McCutchon and Madisen Ciesielski, with ArtistYear Roaring Fork Valley program coordinator, Camille Backman.