Caits Meissner
e |  caitlin.meissner@gmail.com
w | http://www.caitsmeissner.com
…

EDUCATION
2002-2006 | Pratt Institute | BFA in Communications Design, Focus in Graphic Design

WORK/TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Urban Arts Partnership | Teaching Artist & Site Coordinator | 2008-Present
Teaching artist via Urban Arts Partnership, a New York City-based non-profit that places artists in classrooms for full year residencies. In 2008/2009 school year, worked in seven classrooms ranging from elementary to high school, teaching multi-disciplinary art forms (zine-making, digital photography, poetry/spoken work) with a considered focus on socially relevant themes and academic and social skill building. Currently serving as teaching artist and Site Coordinator of the Facing History High School. In fall 2009, co-coached two high school poets to open up the 24 Hour Plays on Broadway.

Urban Word | Teaching Artist | 2008-Present
Teaching artist via Urban Word, a New York City-based non-profit that places poets in classrooms and other settings. Developed and facilitated original multi-session creative writing workshops for middle school aged boys at Ottendorfer Library in the East Village and high school youth at the Holcombe L. Rucker School of Community Researchl in the Bronx.

The Lower Eastside Girls Club | Performance Series Coordinator/Marketing 2006-2008
Developed, curated and hosted a popular weekly community performance series showcasing established and emerging women musicians and poets, which included a closed girls-only workshop with the performers before the show. In addition, developed and delivered poetry, performance and writing workshops in a variety of group settings, as well as one-on-one mentorships. Contributed to grant writing efforts, website design and maintenance and all print graphic design, including re-branding the organization.

Still Speaking | Teaching Artist/Performer | 2006-2008
Teaching artist as part of a larger project that connected eight New York City-based artists in different disciplines with community members in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As the resident poet, contributed specific skills to collaborative workshops in the elements of hip hop and spoken word performance that aided in the exploration of the oral histories of Pittsburgh’s Northside. This year-long, once-a-month workshop culminated in a year-end multidiscipline community performance in May 2008.

Various | Teaching Artist | 2006-Present
Visiting/teaching artist in various settings for one off workshops and performances in school and community venues such as The Tito Puento Educational Complex, the Rose M. Singer Center Women’s Jail at Riker’s Island, The Second Annual Queens Youth Conference, Unitarian Universalist Association Anti-Racism Conclave (2 years, consecutively), New Design High School, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Middle School (San Francisco), Bronx Letters Academy and New York University.

Community Church of New York | Religious Education Coordinator | 2003-2006
As part of a larger position as Religious Education Coordinator, created lesson plans with a focus on creativity, social justice, music, poetry and the principles of the humanitarian-based Unitarian Universalist religion for all age groups. In addition, worked closely with the youth group (high school aged) creating and delivering lesson plans focused on writing and poetry, providing support to the Youth Group Advisor; aiding in the college application process and creating linkages with community groups.

JobPath | Consultant | 2005
Worked with three artists with developmental disabilities and their direct support workers to develop meaningful community-oriented plans for their daily life. This included: connecting a man with severe disabilities to an artist mentor, a writer/musician to contacts in his field, and the full planning and execution of a professional level art show for a prolific, but previously unrecognized fine artist supported by the agency.

Community Inclusion Project | Consultant | 2003–2005
Provided direct support to persons with developmental disabilities in accessing community resources and assuming valued roles in volunteer and paid jobs. Facilitated arts and crafts workshops, assisted with writing and reading skills development, and mediated between residential staff and the people they supported. Consulted with two women with disabilities to create professional level jewelry businesses through: resume, portfolio, and logo development. Facilitated linkages to community arts mentors and local art shows.

Camp Unirondack | Art Shop Director | 1999-2002
Designed and implemented creative/social justice based workshops and the planning of whole camp activities for various age groups. Examples included: Art & Revolution (grassroots activism via art), poetry and spoken word, street art, zine-making, etc. Supervised the art shop, ordered supplies and ran art workshops weekly.