This is the third of five parts on benefits to take advantage of as a member of the National Storytelling Network. Story Crossroads is proud to be an organization member of NSN.
Awesomeness Revealed:
- Part 1 – Borrow NSN’s nonprofit status for grants–as individual or organization – REVEALED
- Part 2 – Research through Greenwood’s World Folklore and Folklife Database for free – REVEALED
- Part 3 – Delve into NSN’s Accreditation Program – TODAY
- Part 4 – Benefit from in-state tuition for Storytelling Masters (with virtual options)
- Part 5 – Participate in special interest groups – education, organizations, healing, leadership/producing
You want to teach and train others. You want to teach and train storytelling with credentials. You aim to always raise the standard of storytelling as viewed by the general public and peers alike.
Assumptions, always assumptions. Whether or not they are all true, that is fine.
NOW…DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN BOOST YOUR CHANCES OF BEING SELECTED AND HIRED WITH THAT DISTINCTION WHEN YOU ARE A DUES-PAYING MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL STORYTELLING NETWORK AND HAVE YOUR WORK REVIEWED?
Crazy enough, I heard that some people in the early years of the American Storytelling Movement were against having standards with storytelling. Are definitions that threatening? Are standards the next step to taking away from traditional storytelling? Do standards take away the magic of the art–the fluidity and spontaneous side of storytelling?
We have a spectrum of storytelling from pure traditional storytelling to pure organized/platform storytelling and everything in between.
Yet, I watched traditional storytelling performed from Indonesia, Ireland, throughout Africa and South America being streamed thanks to the 9-day NSN’s Virtual Conference & Festival of early June 2020. No matter the style–traditional or more on the side of platform telling–people had high standards in regards to their work. Anyone witnessing these concerts would attest to the quality.
BUT…without people seeing what you are able to do, how can someone judge your work? Even if people can see you through YouTube channels or other social platforms, does that always show and prove that you could teach or mentor others in that art?
Being able to perform does not always mean you can teach.
As a story producer of events, I write what feels like a gazillion grants. I get funding when it is obvious to that grant committee that the performer has arts education experience. I need an amazing performer AND teacher. What better and easier way to get funding–so I or other producers–can hire you? What if you received a stamp of approval from the NSN Accreditation Program? It certainly makes the life of a grant-writer easier. Please be kind.
Besides, the federal government already lists the National Storytelling Network as who they can trust for recommendations of tellers on national and international levels.
Once reviewed and approved, you are good for five years with intermittent reports or check-ins. That is only fair, as you must always be working on your craft. Always.
Please note that this NSN Accreditation is non-degree teaching and training of storytelling only.
As shared from the NSN website, the program consists of:
1) an application that demonstrates the scope of instruction,
2) criteria for acceptance, and
3) a framework for reviewer recommendation.
Excited? Anxious to work on the NSN Accreditation Program to affirm your skills with teaching others? Glad you are already a member of the National Storytelling Network? Wishing you were a member of the National Storytelling Network?
Today is that time. Go here for the opportunity to be connected and be part of the National Storytelling Network.
Want to discover more beyond this 5-part Blog Series? Check out the the next Story Crossroads adventure on Saturday, June 20, 2020 from 9:00am-10:30am MDT from your computer- The Big Why Panel: Historical Storytelling meets Humanities.
See our 5-video playlist from the Story Crossroads Spectacular by clicking here.
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