AATE 2025 National Conference

The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia serves 450 schools annually through its in-school programs: teaching artist residencies, one-time student workshops, and professional learning events for teachers. These research-based programs have improved students’ literacy skills, transformed educators’ teaching practices, and established the Alliance Theatre as a leader in arts integrated and theater-based instruction. Despite its successes, the Alliance Theatre’s in-school programs face two major challenges: 1) a lack of funding for arts education programs and 2) teaching artist retention. In this session, learn how the Alliance Theatre has navigated these challenges while honoring established best practices and adapting to a changing landscape. Georgia ranks 50th in the nation in state arts funding, leaving schools and professional theaters with limited resources to support arts-based programming. In this session, the Alliance Theatre will share how it has diversified its funding streams through government support, corporate revenue, earned revenue, additional grants, and more, allowing our programs to evolve and meet schools’ needs. As the Alliance Theatre expands its reach, the need for qualified teaching artists grows. Learn about the Alliance’s teaching artist retention efforts, including pay increases, complimentary childcare, ongoing training, and health benefits. Participants will leave with strategies and ideas to replicate at their own professional theaters.