The profession of atelierista is relatively recent and (at least in Italy) not regulated by any laws or professional association. Thus, potentially anyone can define themselves an atelierista.
Loris Malaguzzi introduced this term in the educational field for the first time, to indicate a person with an artistic background working in the municipal preschools of Reggio Emilia: not an outsider art expert, but a professional living the daily routine of the school with children and teachers. Another fundamental characteristic is that the atelierista designs and offers rich open ended, non-directive enviroments, to promote meaningful processes and self expression rather than the creation of specific products.
Then over time, this term has extended far beyond the Reggio approach and the preschool age range.
So who is an atelierista?
I think we can define them as a “creative trainer” with both artistic and relational skills, who supports and promotes the creative expression of each person through various materials.
And consequently, how can we define an atelier?
In my view, it is a context intentionally designed to offer materials and experiences within a time-space frame, for letting each person activate a creative process and express their uniqueness.
What skills are required for becoming an atelierista?
A double expertise: a practical, in-depth knowledge of materials and art processes on one hand; and the pedagogical knowledge of children or any other target group on the other, together with empathy and relational skills.
I distrust those who do everything for everyone: you can’t be an expert in childhood, adolescence, old age, family groups, nature, clay, loose parts and so on and so forth.
Every atelierista has the responsibility to create their own professionalism by selecting some paths based on their own aptitudes.
How can one become an atelierista?
Based on my experience, I would suggest studying some kind of art by choosing a very good art school or classes (in person, not online) taught by excellent artists or artisans, composing an “ad hoc” path according to your talents, favoring quality and deeper experience over quantity. I think it is important to get a very deep knowledge and experience about at least one material, and then a more general knowledge about others. An atelierista should have first hand experienced with every material they plan to offer or make available for children or adults in the atelier. When the hands-on knowledge will be enough good, I suggesti to do an internship in a real context (like a school, a community or educational center, etc.), offering some creative workshops to make some experience in the field and learn from it. The goal isn’t to directly teach the acquired art knowledge but to use it as a tool for opening one-of-a-kind creative processes.
Just a final tip
Getting your hands dirty, immersing yourself in matter, playing, experimenting with materials until they will become familiar like fluently speaking a language.
Also remember that no two paths are the same: each one is unique, as each person and professional story. You need to find yours.
This is perhaps the one real chance we have of giving them some kind of help in their search for a vocation – to have a vocation ourselves, to know it, to love it and serve it passionately; because love of life begets a love of life.
Natalia Ginzburg, “The Little Virtues”
Here are some opportunities to go part of the way together: