Alaska Statewide Teaching Roster (ASCA)

The Alaska Statewide Teaching Artist Roster doesn't hand out money directly; it's a vetted directory that schools and districts use to find artists, including musicians, to hire for the state's Artists in Schools residencies. Getting onto the roster is itself a juried process: a panel of arts and education professionals reviews applicants for a high level of artistic accomplishment, real experience working in classroom and community settings, and a genuine willingness to take on the practical demands of teaching in Alaska. There's no fee to apply, and the materials don't describe a cap on how many musicians can join. The payoff comes once you're listed: schools are strongly steered toward hiring roster artists for Artists in Schools residencies, which set a minimum pay rate of $1,000 per week to cover four contact hours a day plus planning, setup, and cleanup time — a real income stream for a musician who teaches. Artists not on the roster can still be hired for these residencies, but only with a resume and two letters of recommendation attached to the school's application, so being listed meaningfully smooths the path. Roster applications are reviewed on the same schedule as the residencies themselves, with rounds tied to the May 15 and November 1 deadlines.