How Do You Know When You are Ready to Teach?

"Sailing Away"
12" x 12" Oil Painting
Click here to purchase.

How do you know when you are ready to teach?

Remember the golden rule about teaching … not all great artists are great teachers.  Before you take the plunge ask yourself, why do you want to teach?

What are the reasons to teach?

• share what you know
• make additional income
• get inspired by your students and learn
• push yourself out of your comfort zone

There are lots of different types of teaching opportunities for artists so make sure you understand your skills vs. your potential students

• understand who your audience should be (beginners, artists, students)
• don’t get in too deep – understand what your knowledge is and don’t over promise what you will be teaching
• fill a niche in your community – teach kids, local artists, senior citizens
• teach locally - start small and work your way up
• Ease in to teaching with open studio once a week (offer instruction and help) while artists work on their own projects.
• start by volunteering at school
• teach weekly classes (one night a week)
• graduate to multi-day workshops
• apprentice with another artist
• team teach with another artist

On my next blog post I will let you know how to start if you are ready to teach.