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How to Become an Arts Integration Specialist
Arts Integration Specialists fuse academic instruction with visual art, music, dance, and theater to create rich, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences. They help students explore content in creative ways, support teachers in designing interdisciplinary lessons, and advocate for equitable access to arts in education.
As schools seek innovative strategies to improve learning outcomes, social-emotional growth, and student engagement, arts integration is gaining momentum. A Master’s in Arts Integration, Curriculum and Instruction with an Arts Focus, or a related M.Ed., provides the foundation to lead this movement across classrooms and communities.
Arts Integration Specialist Job Description
Arts Integration Specialists are educators and instructional leaders who embed artistic practices into core academic subjects. They collaborate with teachers across grade levels to design units that connect content standards with creative expression, enhancing comprehension, creativity, and retention.
They may also lead teacher training, design district arts curricula, secure grants for arts programming, and promote inclusive, culturally responsive instruction.
Standard Tasks and Responsibilities:
| Core Tasks | Examples |
|---|---|
| Collaborate with teachers to design integrated lessons | Blend math, science, or literacy with theater, music, or visual art |
| Model interdisciplinary instruction | Co-teach or demonstrate arts-integrated activities in classrooms |
| Provide teacher professional development | Lead workshops on arts strategies aligned with academic standards |
| Develop or revise arts-integrated curriculum | Create units that meet local, state, and national learning goals |
| Advocate for arts education | Present to school boards, secure grants, and engage the community |
Heath’s research explored how arts engagement strengthens learning and identity.
What Are the Educational Requirements to Become an Arts Integration Specialist?
Arts Integration Specialists typically begin their careers as classroom or arts teachers. A Master’s in Arts Integration, Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis on the arts, or Art Education, provides the advanced training needed to move into leadership and coaching roles.
Graduate programs combine instructional theory, curriculum design, arts pedagogy, and fieldwork. Students explore how arts-based approaches promote equity, differentiated instruction, and deeper engagement.
Education Path:
| Level | Program | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | Education, Fine Arts, or related field | Foundation for teaching license and arts instruction |
| Master’s Degree | M.Ed. in Arts Integration or Curriculum and Instruction | Equips educators for leadership roles in arts-based learning |
| Fieldwork | Practicum or portfolio project | Applied experience designing and implementing integrated lessons |
Internships and Exams:
- Practicum may include co-teaching or facilitating PD sessions in schools
- No specific licensure exam exists nationally, but state certification may be required for instructional coaching roles
Are Any Certifications, Licenses, or Credentials Needed?
Credentialing requirements vary. Many Arts Integration Specialists hold a standard teaching license and a master’s degree, but specific credentials depend on the role and setting.
Certifications in curriculum design, instructional leadership, or arts education can enhance credibility and employment options.
Common Credentials:
| Credential | Purpose |
|---|---|
| State Teaching License | Required for classroom and instructional support roles |
| M.Ed. in Arts Integration or Curriculum | Qualifies educators for leadership in program development |
| Arts Education Endorsement (if available) | Validates expertise in specific artistic disciplines or integration strategies |
Credentialing Process:
- Complete a teacher preparation program
- Earn a master’s degree in a related field
- Apply for endorsements or credentials through your state’s department of education (if required)
Where Do Arts Integration Specialists Work?
Arts Integration Specialists work in a variety of settings—from individual K–12 schools to district offices, arts education nonprofits, and cultural organizations. Some provide direct support to teachers and students, while others design district-wide initiatives.
There are also opportunities in after-school programs, summer enrichment programs, and arts-focused grant projects.
Common Workplaces:
- Public and private K–12 schools
- School district curriculum departments
- Arts education, nonprofit,s and cultural institutions
- Regional education service agencies
- Community arts and education initiatives
Employer Examples:
| Employer Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| School Districts | Chicago Public Schools, San Francisco Unified School District |
| Nonprofits | Kennedy Center’s Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA), Young Audiences Arts for Learning |
| Cultural Institutions | Lincoln Center Education, The Walker Art Center |
| Education Cooperatives | Arts Education Partnership, state-level integration collaboratives |
See Related Articles Widget (This section will feature internal links to other education careers or specializations.)
What Skills and Traits Do Successful Arts Integration Specialists Have?
Arts Integration Specialists must be collaborative, creative, and confident facilitators. They bridge the worlds of academic instruction and artistic expression, which requires both pedagogical expertise and artistic fluency.
They also need to communicate the value of the arts in education to diverse stakeholders and design inclusive strategies that reflect student voice and culture.
Key Skills and Traits:
- Curriculum design and arts-integration methodology
- Interpersonal and coaching skills for adult learners
- Creative problem-solving and instructional flexibility
- Knowledge of core academic and fine arts standards
- Commitment to equity, representation, and student voice
- Event planning and community engagement skills
- Confidence in visual and performing arts pedagogy
Arts Integration Specialist Salary Overview
Salaries vary depending on district size, role scope, and educational background. Specialists who work at the district or state level, or who oversee grant-funded initiatives, often earn higher salaries.
| Role Level | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| School-Based Arts Integration Specialist | $62,000 – $78,000 |
| District Instructional Coach (Arts Integration) | $75,000 – $90,000 |
| Program Director – Arts in Education Nonprofit | $80,000 – $100,000+ |
Job Outlook: While not always listed as a separate position, demand for arts integration continues to grow. Schools seeking to increase student engagement, support social-emotional learning (SEL), and offer culturally rich learning experiences are turning to arts-based models.
Link to our Master’s in Education Salary Guide for more details.
Take the Next Step Toward Becoming an Arts Integration Specialist
If you believe that creativity belongs at the heart of learning, a career as an Arts Integration Specialist offers the chance to make classrooms more inclusive, expressive, and effective. A Master’s in Arts Integration or Curriculum and Instruction with an arts focus can prepare you to lead programs that connect the arts and academics.
Explore graduate programs that help you integrate creativity, equity, and excellence into every classroom.
Sources
- Arts Education Partnership: Arts Integration Resources
- The Kennedy Center: Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA)
- Education Commission of the States: Arts in Education Policy Overview
- National Art Education Association: Curriculum and Instruction Resources
- Edutopia: The Power of Arts Integration